Exploring Cricut - Christmas Tags

Good Morning! This week has flown by, but I'm sure it has a lot to do with all the activities for the last week of school before the holidays. It is my turn today to share a project with you at Exploring Cricut. 

While wrapping presents I realized that I had used all of the ready made tags and had none left. So, I decided to create some quick tags using my Cricut. I created them using my Gypsy to get them to line up properly. You can also do this in CCR.  I create 2 layers one with the tag and then a layer that has the images. This way when I take the pen out and put the blade back in my tag will be the only thing that will cut. The speed and pressure I used with the pen was 4 for each. 

The measurement of these tags allows you to get 12 tags in a 6 x 6 area on your mat. Using the Gypsy I can pause to change pen colors if need be. Make sure that when you are ready to cut you do not remove your mat from the Cricut. Your alignment will definitely be off when you go to cut your tags out if you do.

The red tag is definitely more subtle with the silver pen. I used a snow pen to make the stocking look fuzzy.

Different color Stickles were added to the tree for some character. I inked up the edges of the tags with the coordinating color of the pen.

Joys of the Season has tags with images all ready to go. I used a stamp for the "to" but you could certainly choose a font from the cartridges like I did above.

I still like making the elaborate tags with layers of paper for those special gifts, but these were really fast and got the job done:)

Recipe:

Tag - Plantin Schoolbook 1.12"

Tree - Winter Frolic 1"

Stocking - Doodlecharm 1"

Snowflake Tag - Joys of the Season 2.52"

To From - Lyrical Letters .29", Walk In My Garden .20"

Stickles, Cri-Kits Glitter Pens, Black ink, Snow pen

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut - Homecoming

Hello! So glad you stopped by as it is my turn to at Exploring Cricut today. I am still trying to get caught up on scrapbooking and deciding to work on my daughter's high school book. Fall is upon us and with that comes lots of fun events like festivals, and of course, homecoming dances. 

I am sharing a 2 page layout for her homecoming dance junior year. One of the fun things, I think, about scrapbooking is taking pieces from the actual event and incorporating it onto your page. The jewels in the upper left corner are actually from her corsage.

The pattern Bo Bunny paper is doublesided and this helped really coordinate everything together. Sometimes there are so many pictures taken and it is difficult to leave any out. One idea that really works for me is looking at the pictures I really want to showcase. I then put the rest into 4x6 clear sleeves that fit right into the album. Some brands are Die Cuts With A View or We R Memory Keepers. They also come in different sizes and I usually pick mine up at Archiver's.

The slits in the roses were popped up and I added Fruit Punch Stickles to them with a gem for added glimmer. I wasn't too sure about using the shimmery grey for the roses but really like how it compliments the pictures of  my daughter's dress.

Recipe:

2 page 12 x 12 layout

Papers - Bo Bunny, Bazzill, Core'dinations 

Swirl - Sweethearts

Font, Numbers - Lyrical Letters

Gems, Fruit Punch Stickles

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget you have until Saturday to enter for some blog candy  here and enter our challenge of a birthday celebration for even more chances to win a Cricut Cartridge!

Annette

Exploring Cricut - Happy 60th!

Hi there! It is my turn to share with you today at Exploring Cricut. My parents will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on the 13th and I created this anniversary card for them. I thought I would share it with you today.

Do you ever have a piece of paper that you really like and think that you can't wait to use it and then for whatever reason you don't. Well this cute pattern paper with the birds from Basic Grey was that paper for me. I think the birds on this are so sweet. I thought I would definitely use this right away. Well, after a few years I'm happy to say it is perfect for an anniversary. I hope you think so too:)

I adhered the ribbon to the paper using large glue dots and popped the pink heart up with a pop dot. The gold mat was under the "monogram tag 2". It always amazes me how many different options are still on the Cricut cartridges that I haven't used. It is really nice to have all the versatility.

Recipe:
A2 card base

Pattern papers - Basic Grey

Blue Heart - George and Basic Shapes 1.16"

Pink Heart - Lyrical Letters 1.16"

Gold Frame - Gypsy Font 2.5"

Ribbon, corner rounder, glue dots, pop dot

Don't forget to get in on the challenge ending this Saturday and thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Happy Halloween Cousin It!

Hi Everyone! Today I have a layout to share from last year's Halloween. My youngest wanted to be Cousin It from the Addam's Family. Don't you love when your kids come to you with these ideas and your thinking okay, how am I going to do that. Well, it definitely keeps me on my toes:) 

I enjoyed creating this layout and really liked that Barb at Bug Bites had the stamp sentiment that is in the Addam's Family song.  I was searching for the right road and decided to use the "s" from Lyrical Letters and I think it curved exactly the way I wanted for this project.

Recipe:

12 x 12 layout

DCWV Papers, scraps

House - Happy Hauntings 6.42"

Ghost - Happy Hauntings 2"

Walkway -Lyrical Letters width 3.76"

Gate  Happy Hauntings 4.05"

Happy Halloween - Happy Hauntings 2.35"

Sentiment  on Tree - Bugbites

Tree - Happy Hauntings 9.77"

Tombstone - Happy Hauntings (sorry didn't write the size down)

Owl - Happy Hauntings 2"

Twine, Trick or Treat sticker, Cuttlebug embossing folder for road

Entering:

Pause Dream Enjoy - Night Project

Pile It On - Any Holiday but birthday

Fantabulous Cricut - Halloween

Cut It Up - Eek! Boo! Ahh!

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Challenge - "Cricut Choice"

Hi! Happy Monday! Today is a new challenge at Exploring Cricut. This is an Anything Goes Cricut challenge with a twist. You have to use 2 Cricut cuts and a monogram. Isn't that fun! I decided to create a pretty cover for the back of my cell phone.

This was super simple. First, I picked out my papers and layed the cuts out on my Gypsy. I then laid the patterned paper face down and the phone cover down on top of it to trace an outline. I also traced two holes where the camera and speaker are. Removing the cover, I used an X-acto knife to cut the patterned paper.

I then used Mod Podge to adhere the papers to the phone. I also went over the top of the papers with the Mod Podge. The flower has Stickles in the center of it.

So there you have it! An inexpensive way to jazz up your phone. Hope you enjoyed  this and maybe it inspired you to cover your phone too:)

Recipe:
Papers - Basic Grey, Bazzill
Monogram - Lyrical Letters 1.76"
Banner  - Lyrical Letters .79"
Flower - Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art .90"
Mod Podge, Diamond Stickles

Okay, now it is your turn! You have until Saturday evening to enter your project. Don't forget to use your Cricut:) For more inspiration, check out my DT sisters and brother too!!


Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Exploring Cricut Blog Hop and Challenge! Today we are featuring Christmas in July. If you hopped from Sharon then you are in the right spot. If not, hop back so you don't miss a thing:)  You will see many wonderful projects by our Design Team and at the end you will be able to enter the challenge to show us a Christmas project. It can be a Christmas card, layout or a craft. Don't forget to use your Cricut for the challenge. Many of us are offering blog candy along the way so be sure to follow the rules to win some goodies!

So, I decided to create a Christmas layout that I did using a few cartridges. This is a 12 x 12 2 page layout mainly featuring Joys of the Season with a few other cartridges here and there.

I added Stickles throughout the layout to give some sparkle and shine. 

The wall hanging above the mantle was created using a Cri-Kit black glitter pen. I laid out what I wanted it to say on my Gypsy. I then used my Cricut with the Gypsy to create the writing and the cut. 

Recipe:

Family  Moments 2.75"  Gypsy Wanderings

Santa -Joys of the Season 4.74"

Tree - Joys of the Season 8.28"

Present - Joys of the Season 1.92"

Rocking Horse - Joys of the Season 2.24"

Drum - Joys of the Season 1.77"

Soldier - Joys of the Season 3.26"

Fireplace - Joys of the Season 4.23"

Stockings - Joys of the Season 2.03"

Wall Hanging - Create A Critter 1.48"

Lettering on Hanging - Lyrical Letters .31"

Bear - Joys of the Season 2.96"

Gems, Xmas Red Stickles, Green Stickles, Diamond Stickles, floss, brown and black ink

Here is my blog candy for you to win!!

Want a chance to win?

1. Make sure you're a follower.

2. Leave a comment on this blog post.

3. Leave a comment on all the blogs in this hop.

The deadline for my blog candy is Saturday, July 21st at midnight CST!

Your next stop is JESSICA

Sharon http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/
Annette http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com/ HERE  

Jessica http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/ NEXT

Emily http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/

Lori http://scrappinsaints.blogspot.com/

Kim http://littleredshood.blogspot.com/

Ian http://anewbiecrafter.blogspot.com/

Diana http://craftypeepdb.blogspot.com/

Georgiana http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com/

Diane http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you join in the fun!!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Daily Challenge - School Days

Hello! I'm glad you came by because today is my day to share at Exploring Cricut. I decided to  make a title page for a school album. This was a lot of fun because I used quite a few cartridges. This is for an album spanning preschool through 8th grade so I tried to have young items as well as older like the lock for middle school.

I wanted a schoolhouse with a bell, but none of my carts had that. No worries, gypsy to the rescue. I found a house in Lyrical Letters and cut the chimney off. Paper Dolls for Everyday is where I found a shape that would be good for a school bell. I welded the two together. Now, comes the funny. The bell is actually an elbow pad. Yes, an elbow pad. It is from page 57 under Accessories 2. I reshaped it by widening and now it is a bell.

The science beakers were only attached to the colored papers so that the vellum would not discolor. I also used vellum behind the holes of the recorder. You can click on the picture to enlarge.

I used Argyle and Swiss Dots to make the lettering a little more interesting to look at, and hopefully stand out a little more.

The lock was fun to make. Originally I was going to make the lock with the silver paper, but decided that maybe having only the button with that paper would give more depth. I chose the teal because my daughter had a lock this color:)

Recipe:

Chalkboard - George and Basic Shapes 4.74" and 4.07"

Chalk and Eraser - George and Basic Shapes 0.54" and 0.69" 

Scissors - Simply Charmed 4.18"

Crayons - Simply Charmed 4.29"

School - Lyrical Letters 11.71" 

Bell - Paper Dolls for Everday 9.72"

Globe - Locker Talk 3.71"

Lock - Locker Talk 4.80"

Recorder - Locker Talk 2.53"
School Days - 3 Birds On Parade 1.31"
ABC abc - A Child's Year 1.12"
Science Beaker - Locker Talk 3.35"
Argyle and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folders

If you are looking for a way to control school albums check out my post from yesterday where I showed how I cleaned up my kids books.

Don't forget we have a challenge right now at Exploring Cricut to create a box using your Cricut. I hope to see some of your wonderful creations too:)


Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Daily Project - Balloons

Hi! It is my turn at Exploring Cricut and I have a layout for you today. I kept the elements simple so that the pictures would remain the focal point. I typed my journaling on the computer and then cut it at varying lengths placing around the pages.

The balloon I chose was cut free hand. If you didn't want to do that I know Everyday Pop Up Cards has one too. It has more of a rounded shape to it. I did pop the center piece of the balloon up to give some more dimension and then took my black pen and drew a zig zag along the edges. I shaded the outer edge of the balloon with black ink. The clouds were shaded with black ink too. The heart was cut from the paper and then popped up onto the balloon. The title was welded together with my gypsy using Lyrical Letters.

Recipe:

Two 12 x 12 pages

Bazzill and DCWV

Clouds - Create A Critter 2.63:

Tree - Gypsy Wanderings 4.69"

Title - Lyrical Letters 1.33"

Black ink, black pen, pop dots

Don't forget there is still time to enter our contest at Exploring Cricut using a Cricut flower. Hope you join in:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Daily Project - Gone With The Breeze

Hello! I'm so glad you stopped by because it is my turn to share a project for Exploring Cricut. I decided to keep with the spring theme and do a 2 page layout from recent kite flying earlier this month. It was a beautiful breezy day and my daughter really enjoyed herself. She was very intent on her flying and was making the funniest faces.

So, on with the project. Usually for kite flying I choose cuts that are kites; but I wanted to use something equally as fun in a breeze - hence - the pinwheel. I found these adorable ones on A Child's Year that luckily had a layer too.  The papers I chose were so busy that I opted to not do mats behind my pictures.

Using my Gypsy, I welded the word "spring" into the tag and then cut. I just placed a scrap of pink paper behind the word. 

This was the bird that was cut out from the tag. You can see the glitter a little better on this picture.

Recipe:

12 x 12 2 page layout

Papers - DCWV, Bazzill

Pink mat - A Child's Year 10"

Pinwheel - A Child's  Year 4.71", 3.63", 2.96"

Tag - A Child's Year 2.52"

Spring - Lyrical Letters (Jack Sprat) 1.18"

Flowers - A Child's Year 3.55", 2.48", 1.71"

Circles - Plantin SchoolBook 2.69"

Scallop - Plantin SchoolBook 3.30"

Pink Rectangle - George and Basic Shapes 11.92"

Buttons, ribbon, brads, black pen, Prima flower

Stickles - Thistle

Be sure to enter your spring project at Exploring Cricut. You have until March 31st 9pm Eastern time. We always enjoy seeing what you have to make:) Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Exploring Cricut Daily Project -Sweet Cherries

Good Morning! Today is my day to share at Exploring Cricut. I decided to make a larger card than normal and am glad I did. Sometimes you just need a little more room:) I used Lyrical Letters for the cherries and while I love this cartridge there are no layers for the cuts. So, Gypsy to the rescue. I duplicated and hid certain pieces that I would not need to make the cherries.

For the green leaf, I positioned it on the mat so only the leaf in green would cut and I wasn't wasting paper. This can also be done if you have Design Studio or the new Craft Room. I find it really helps to get the most out of my cartridges when I can manipulate the cuts.

I hand cut the white paper to put the sentiment on and created the paisley paper using my Cuttlebug and chalks. I chalked around the sentiment as well.

Recipe:

5 x 7 base

Cherries - Lyrical Letters 3.47"

Scallop Circle and White Circle - Straight from the Nest 6.75", 6.40"

Sentiment - Hero Arts

Pattern Paper - Little Yellow Bicycle, DCWV

Embossing folder Cuttlebug Perfect Paisley and Seeing Spots

Felt, chalk, black ink, pop dots, ribbon, Glossy Accents

Don't forget there is still time to enter the challenge at Exploring Cricut!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Thank You Note Cards

Hi All! I made a few cards and wanted to share with you one that I found in the magazine Paper Crafts. I recreated it using various cartridges and just loved the look of it. I used my template in gypsy to make sure that it would fit the front of a 4 1/2" x 5" card.

I also decided to use the cut outs on other cards. I love when I can use everything up:) I was in a hurry, but I think I should have either hid the center flower marks or cut another flower on top to give it a cleaner look.

Recipe:

danke - Lyrical Letters 1" (welded together)

merci - Create a Critter 1"

gracias - Gypsy Font 1" (welded together)

thanks - Opposites Attract 1"

flower - Forever Young 1 1/2"

Stickles, Perfect Pearls, pop dots

Thanks for stopping!

Annette

Another Year Older

Hello! I don't know about you but there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and we have a lot of birthdays over the next 2 months. I haven't had as much time to sit and craft, which is a bummer. I am working on some cards for the upcoming birthdays and wanted to share.  For this one I chose more manly colors, but just had to add some bling with stickles:) It needed an oomph.

Cake cut at 2.97"

Sentiment cut at 2.61"

Recipe:

A2 size Kraft stock
Papers: DCWV, Stampin' Up and scraps
Cake: Lyrical Letters
Outside Sentiment: My Creative Time
Inside Sentiment: Lyrical Letters
Pop dots, Stickles, black and brown inks

Entering:

Anything Goes Challenge - Food
Stamps R Us Bling it On

Thanks for stopping by!

Annette

Leaves

Hi! Today I am working on a Thanksgiving card. I kept it really simple and am also entering in a few challenges. The white, in person, really makes it very crisp. I wonder if anyone has taken the real leaves and put Diamond Glaze over them for a project to preserve them. I might have to try that too. If anyone has I would  love to know if it worked or not:) That would be really pretty for a card.

Recipe:

A2 base

Papers - Stash

Leaves - Gypsy Wandering 2.76", Stretch Your Imagination 1.47", Lyrical Letters 3"

Topnote - Storybook 3.28"

Sentiment - My Pink Stamper

Gems - Basic Grey

Black, Walnut Stain and Champagne Inks, Zig Brown Pen

Ribbon - Stash

Entering:
You Had Me At Craft - Anything Goes



Pile It On -Thanksgiving or Give Thanks
Stuck On U Sketches -Leaf Die Cut
A Muse Studio - Thanks

Thanks for stopping by:)

Annette

So What's New Blog Hop Day 2

Hello! Welcome back for Day 2 of So What's New Blop Hop. If your hopping over from Melody, then you are exactly where you need to be. If you are starting here, you might want to hop back to Roberta and check out all the creativity from the beginning. Some of us are celebrating the hop by giving away Blog Candy so make sure you check out all the great creations.

Okay, on with the project today. Subway art is very popular right now and I thought it might be fun to create my own. Michael's was having a sale on canvas and I purchased these.

It's kind of hard to tell, but I painted the canvas with an acrylic ecru first. (Paint is still a little wet in this pic)

I then layed out design on my gypsy and cut. Love my gypsy!  

I painted glitter paint over the finished project. This was a lot of fun to make and there are many possibilities for future subway art in my mind:)

Here's the blog candy again that you could win.

Rules to be in the drawing are:
1. Follower of my blog. 
2. Leave a comment on blog hop post for your chance to win.

Make sure to leave email so I can contact if you are the winner:) Winner will be announced on Monday, October 17th.

Now hop on over to Susan and see all her crafty goodness:)
Thanks for stopping by:)

Annette

Monogram Note Card

I made some cards for my Mom's birthday today with the help from Diane at Capadia Designs. She has great ideas and is very helpful to so many. I know when I first got DS her tutorials really help me to understand how the software worked. I mainly use my Gypsy to design now but they are both great products for me. As you can see I made 8 cards for my Mom. These fit nicely in a box that I showed earlier in the month that was made with TBBM.

Recipe:

A2 card base

Pattern Paper - Bazzill

Embossing- Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Thanks for stopping by:)

Annette

Window Card

I always thought the window cards were really difficult to make and was to scared to attempt. Well, Sheila at shesasassylady.blogspot.com changed my mind. She has tutorials with the gypsy that go step by step. She is fabulous. Thank you Sheila:) Anyway, I created these 2 cards this week. My Dad broke his hip in July and he is working very hard at rehab. Not an easy road, but he definitely shows improvement. Cards are always a nice way to let someone know that you care. The other card was for my daughter. She received a scholarship this past summer for dance. She thought it would be nice after the meet and greet to tell them thank you again. What a good girl:)

Before I get to the cards, I just want to say that many prayers are coming your way if you are in the way of Hurricane Irene. I hope that everyone is safe and sound and she loses her energy.

The card is an A2 size. I used DCWV Dots, Stripes and Plaids for this card. This is a great stack if you are looking for some good male papers. I always have a harder time with those because I want to put some bling or something:) I used Gypsy Wanderings for the base and Lyrical Letters for the sentiment.

This is also an A2 with the papers from DCWV Citrus. The butterfly is MS Elegant Cake Art. I stickled the top layer of the butterfly and only adhered the middle of the body so that the wings pop up. It's a little hard to tell from the picture but in person you can really see the different colors underneath the top layer. The sentiment is from Gypsy Wanderings.

Thanks for looking and I hope everyone has a safe Sunday. Thanks, again, to Sheila for her wonderful tutorials.

Annette