Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #16: Fourth Of July Pinwheel

This week's challenge at FCCB is all about Independence Day:  Create a 4th of July project adding a star shape.  I LOVE the 4th of July.  It just brings back memories of being a kid, having swimming races and coin dives at the neighborhood pool, eating fried chicken (that was a tradition every year) and then going to the river to watch fireworks and play card games until it was too dark to see anymore...all with family of course, which was the most important thing. 

In honor of this holiday, I wanted something that was whimsical and fun, but still incorporated the tradition red, white and blue.  A pinwheel fit the bill perfectly!  This pinwheel was made with Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL).  I found a FREE .svg file HERE and just added my own twist.  Instead of a double flower center, I added a blue star (to meet the challenge criteria) which I cut from my Cricut A Child's Year cartridge.  You can't see it very well in the photo but the center is stamped with "Happy 4th of July" (CTMH).  The papers used are from the Blue Ribbon collection by CTMH. 

This project is really simple.  The hardest part was locating my small drill bit!  :)  You'll need the following supplies:

wood dowel (with small hole drilled in one end)

craft wire

2 small beads

glue/Terrifically Tacky Tape

eyelets/eyelet tool

ribbon

There is a video tutorial on the page with the .svg download (linked above) on how to make these and it's pretty simple to follow along with.  Hope you enjoy this project!

Be sure to check out FCCB's Design Team projects over at Fantabulous Cricut...lots of fun 4th of July projects to feast your eyes on!  To be eligible for this week's prize, link up your own 4th of July/star project by next Sunday!

Have a creative day!  :)

"TuTu-Cute" Memory Boards

I LOVE GREENBEAN CRAFTEROLE!!! 

(No, that's not a typo)

"Greenbean's Crafterole" is one of my newest faves in Blogland.  This chick is seriously like the most creative and innovate crafter ever!  She can come up with the neatest projects using things you'd have never thought of!  Not too long ago, I hopped over to visit and found her SUPER-CUTE "tutu-cute chalkboards" (HERE) along with a tutorial!  I just couldn't resist...

I did modify this project just a little...the Mess Maker has been needing a memory board for a LONG time and I decided that instead of painting canvases to make chalkboards, I would use cork/MDF combo bulletin boards and cover them with fabric and ribbon to make memory boards.  Here is the result:

I made three of them because they are somewhat small (11x14).  The dresses are hanging on some flower pegs I found at Hobby Lobby and painted in coordinating colors.  She's not into ballet yet but she IS into princesses and she thinks they are princess dresses.  Works for me!

Thanks Greenbean...you've inspired me yet again!  :)

It's been a while since I've entered any "challenges" or linky parties, but I've decided to link this one to "Me & My Bucket's" What Are You Working With Wednesday...HERE.

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #15: Flip Flop Mini-Album

This week's challenge at FCCB is called Summer Time At The Beach:  Make a project for summer using something you'd find at the beach!  Well, I think flip flops are one of the most common things seen at the beach, so I decided to make a flip flop project.  One problem, though...I had not one single flip flop shape on any of my tons of cartridges!!!

One by one, I scoured my manuals to see if there was a shape I could use that looked like a flip flop.  And I found one!  Of course it was on Wild Card which was at the end of my manuals which I alphabetize.  :)  The only cut I found that resembled a flip flop was the "Porthole" card cut, using "shift" + the "Liner" feature.  After cutting this shape out of chipboard, I rounded the bottom edges and ta-da!!!  Not perfectly flip flop-shaped, but it works.

I used a paper stack by Me & My Big Ideas to cover the flip flop bases.  Then, using my Crop-a-dile, I punched holes on both sides of each flip flop, near the top and one in the middle top of each flip flop as well.  I threaded string through the side holes to hold the flip flops together. 

For the "straps", I threaded red ribbon though the holes and tied knots in the back.  Then I inked paper flowers (Bazzill), added a rhinestone and then attached them on the straps.

To finish, I added wallet-size photo mats to the "sole" of each flip flop.  After I finished, I decided this would be a cute little summer wall hanging, so I didn't bother finishing the back of each flip flop.  :)  Think this will be a cute place to hang pool photos of the kids for the summer.

Head over to Fantabulous Cricut and check out the other fabulous design team projects...you'll be amazed at their creativity!  And don't forget to link up your own project to FCCB by next Sunday to be eligible to win the AWESOME prize that's up for grabs this week!

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!!!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #14: Celebrate Dear Dad

This week's challenge at FCCB is "Celebrate Dear Dad"...make a masculine themed project.  This is perfect timing for Father's Day coming up so I thought I'd make my dad a Father's Day card from my two sisters and I (along with a little gift)!

I recently discovered Ruth Howard's blog, RUELYSI CREATIVE CARDS.  If you haven't seen her work, you just have to check it out!  While I was there, I realized she has a TON of Design Studio .cut files for FREE!!!  I just love generous people.  :)  So after scrolling through several pages of her blog, I found the .cut file HERE for this amazing card!  I couldn't resist...my dad is the craftiest and handiest person you'll ever meet.

All of the cuts for this file are from George and Basic Shapes.  I cut the tools from "gunmetal gray" cardstock, the handles from a deep red, the tool belt from a light brown and the pockets/strap from a beige-brown.  Of couse I inked/distressed everything after cutting it out.  I also was super-excited to get to use the "screw-head" brads I've had forever!

I did add something to this card...the "level" tool.  I saw another example of this project made up here and just loved the addition of the level, so I made one up myself using Design Studio.  For the "liquid" in each of the spaces of the level, I trimmed a transparency into three narrow strips, and drew the lines and liquid in with Sharpies.  Then I just adhered them between the two layers of the level.

Hope you enjoyed my card and don't forget to head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the other FABULOUS design team projects and to check out this week's AWESOME prize!  :)

Happy Scrappin'!

Baby Washcloth "Candies"!!!

I'm obviously in a "food mood" lately!!!  First a popsicle album, now some washcloth candies...YUM!

These were soooooo simple to make.  I bought some inexpensive solid-colored baby washcloths from Wal-Mart in the baby section.  I folded them until I had a narrow "roll", then just rolled them up and secured the end with a piece of tape.

The swirl on top was made by cutting a 2" circle out of vellum (from the George & Basic Shapes cartridge) and adhering a 4" swirl cut from light and dark pink cardstock (from the Cricut Paisley cartridge).

Then I just placed the rolled up washcloth and swirl topper into a cello bag and tied pink ribbons on both ends.  I inserted five "candies" into a large cello bag and added a bag topper.  (The silver charm says "It's a Girl"...it doesn't show up in this photo).

How fun would this be for a shower gift???  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this project and definitely plan to make more.  Let me know what you think!

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Popsicle Mini-Album!

I saw a simliar mini-album a while back somewhere out in "Google Land" (don't remember where) and wanted to make my own in honor of summer-time!  For this mini-album, I used K&Company "Citronella" papers and coordinating cardstock.  I love how bright and cheery these papers are, perfect for a summer-time treat!

To make the popsicles, I use the Cricut Just Because Cards cartridge and cut the top of the popsicle at 20" (came out MUCH smaller than this!) eight times from some Cheerios boxes.  Each album "page" is a combination of two cereal box popsicle cuts with a wooden popsicle stick glued between them.  There are four pages in all, from 8 cuts.  Then I cut the papers the same size, adhered them to the cereal box cuts (front and back) and inked the edges with white Staz-On ink.

I added wallet-size photo mats to each page and then embellished each page with cuts from the Create a Critter and Paisley cartridges.  A few of the cuts I used include a rainbow, beach ball, flowers and words/phrases.  Then I used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes in each page, added a ring and some matching ribbons!

Hope you like this mini-album!  Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #13: For The Bride...

FCCB's challenge this week is called "For The Bride": Create a project using one of the following: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.  So here is my card...  :)

I decided that "For The Bride" didn't have to mean wedding.  It could also be...

 BACHELORETTE PARTY....WOO HOO!!!!!  Hah! 

This card is to go along with a little "frilly something" for the bride's bachelorette party.  :)

Thie card base and bra/panty cuts are Design Studio .cut files (George & Basic Shapes), generously shared by Jen over at Jen's Brain Things .  I originally made a bikini card for the Household CFO for Valentine's Day and decided it was time for another...they're just so stinkin' cute!  Jen is very generous and will email you the .cut file if you contact her!

To make this card, I cut the base out of "flesh" colored cardstock.  That sounds gross...I don't know what color it is, sort of a beige or something.  Anyway, I cut the bra/panty out of black cs and embossed it using the Cuttlebug "Textiles" folder.

For details, I added beaded trim, from the upholstery department at Hobby Lobby...this is the "something old" element...I've had this trim FOREVER, seriously.  Got it long before I ever started Critcuting or really getting into scrapbooking.  One of the bead strings fell off the left side of the bra when I was trimming it so that's where my "something blue" element came in.  I used a turquoise flower to hide that spot.  :)  I also added three turquoise flowers to the panty, each flower accented with a rhinestone.

It was really a simple card to make and so super-fun.  I hope you'll head over to Jen's blog and tell her how awesome her .cut file is.  Don't you want to make one, too???  And don't forget to stop over at Fantabulous Cricut, too, and look at the FABULOUS Design Team projects.  We have an awesome prize this week, so be sure to enter your project by next Sunday to be eligible to win!

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Paper Cupcake Feature At FCCB!

For today's Scrappin' Saturday over at Fantabulous Cricut I am featuring Tresa, aka the Stamp Goddess, and her "Fabulously Artsy" paper cupcake.  I discovered this little treat a while back (you can see my original posts HERE and HERE) and decided I needed to share it with everyone over at FCCB in case they hadn't had the pleasure of seeing it! 

The cupcake above is the giftcard holder cupcake and the one below is the mini-album cupcake...

If you have seen the video tutorial, click on the video below.  Not only is it a super-cute, super-fun project, but Tresa is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

Hope you enjoy this project!  Don't forget to head over to FCCB before midnight on Monday to enter for your chance to win a FREE Cricut cartridge...WOO HOO!!!!  :)

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Blog Award...WOO HOO!!!

I am always truly touched when anyone out in "Blog Land" takes the time to leave me a comment but especially when they think I'm "worthy" of an award!!!  :)

So, thank you so much to everyone that takes the time to stop by my little corner of the web and especially to DtsArt for the "I Love Your Blog" award!  It really made my day!  To receive this award, I must mention 10 things I love and pass it along to 10 others...

10 Things I love:

1.  CHOCOLATE...can I count this as all 10??? J/K

2.  Paper Crafting...it truly is my passion and I look forward to it every single day

3.  The Bachelor/The Bachelorette...I know, I know.

4.  Fresh Fruits & Vegetables...nothing better than picking something right out of the garden and eating it!

5.  Pedicures...I'll admit I get these way too often, but it's my "quiet time" away from the every-day

6.  Iced Tea...I find this to be the most refreshing drink there is (even if it does make me have to pee a lot!!!)

7.  Surfing The Web For Crafting Ideas...I do this WAY too much.  You could pretty much call me a blog addict at this point.

8.  My Friends...living away from extended family has made me realize just how precious my friends really are and how much they support me on a daily basis!

9.  My Kids...I never knew I'd love another person as much as I love those two crazy kids.  Even on the roughest of days when I literally want to pull my hair out, I take one look at their sleeping faces at night and just melt.  :)

10.  My Husband...without him, I wouldn't have the opportunity to have any of these things and for that I am forever grateful.  He's my rock, my personal comedian, and the best guy you'll ever meet...seriously.  I love him to pieces.  I'm am one LUCKY girl.  :)

Okay, excuse me while I wipe up the sap...  Now, here are the 10 people I'd like to pass this FAB award along to (in no particular order) for all of their FAB inspiration:

1.  Laura at http://barnumandbailey.blogspot.com/

2.  Robin at http://robinscreativecottage.blogspot.com/

3.  Karen at http://karenpedersen.blogspot.com/

4.  Becky at http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/

5.  Nanne at http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com/

6.  Tresa at http://www.fabulouslyartsy.com/

7.  Robyn at http://www.mypinkstamper.com/
8.  Vicki at http://wizardshangout.blogspot.com/
9.  Ruth at http://ruelysicreativecards.blogspot.com/
10.  Monique at http://monkeydoodlecricut.blogspot.com/

Thanks for all the inspiration ladies...you all are truly talented!  :)

Cricut Vinyl Stenciling On T-Shirts

I now have a uniform for my "job" as the Household CEO!!!

I've been wanting to try the "freezer paper" shirts for a while, so I gave it a try last night.  Except instead of using freezer paper and having to iron it, I just used some vinyl (white Contact paper).  I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!

Using Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL), I cut out "The Household CEO" and a flourish in "Monotype Corsova" and "Wingdings" at 2 1/2".

A few tips that helped the process go smoothly:

1.  place a piece of cardboard or other material inside the shirt, between the front and back of the shirt, so the paint doesn't leak through to the back

2.  After placing the negative of the image/wording onto the t-shirt, use a clean brayer to roll over the entire image to ensure there aren't any bubbles or raised edges in the vinyl.

3.  Let each layer dry before applying more paint.  Let dry overnight before removing vinyl, to make sure all layers of paint are dry.

Because using Contact paper/vinyl worked so well, I probably won't try the freezer paper method.  But I hear it works well, too.

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Memorial Day Lake Trip!

We made the trip up to see the Mess Maker's and Noise Maker's grandparents last weekend.  Here are some photos of the boat ride at the lake...the Mess Maker was sooooooo excited to drive the boat!  :)

For All The "Mini-Van Moms" Out There...

Um, yeah, that's totally my family.  :)