FCCB #6: Faux Carved Wood Plaque

This week's Fantabulous Cricut Challenge is called "Winged":  Create a project using something that flies (butterfly, bird, dragon, etc.).  When I saw the word "winged" I immediately thought of butterflies so that's the subject of my project.

I recently saw an episode of Paint, Paper & Crafts on TV and saw a wooden photo frame being customized by using chipboard die cuts adhered to the frame and then painted over.  It gave it the look of hand-carved wood!  I decided to try this technique using a simple wooden plaque...and it worked!

I used my Cricut Home Accents cartridge to cut both butterfly cuts and their shadows (using the deep cut blade and the "Multi Cut" feature.  I adhered each die-cut to its shadow and then used Modge Podge to adhere them to the wood.  Once dry, I applied one more coat of Modge Podge and then one coat of white paint.  When that was dry I applied my taupe paint.  To "age" it, I mixed antiquing medium with one drop of Chocolate (CTMH) re-inker and brushed over liberally, then wiped off the excess.  Once dry, I sanded the edges and over the top, including gently sanding the die cuts.  I then inked the sides with Timber Brown Staz-On ink to give it some definition.  I cut the word "dream" out of brown vinyl from the Home Accents cartridge and applied it to the bottom corner.

The finished plaque has a very "aged" look...kind of looks like it's been sitting around in a shed for a while (I LOVE that look) waiting to be rediscovered!  I love that it looks like it was actually hand-carved, and not just created with cereal boxes...HAH!  Not sure where I'm going to put it, but I'm sure I'll find the perfect spot!

Head over to FCCB and link up your "winged" project!  And be sure to check out all the fabulous DT projects while you're there!

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #3: Bling It On!

The Fantabulous Cricut Challenge this week is called "Bling It"!  How fun!!!

I made a card using the Storybook cartridge to cut the layered scalloped circles and the Home Accents cartridge to cut the butterfly (shadow feature).  The lace borders are made with the Martha Stewart lace border punch.  The sentiment (stamp) and the rhinestones are Close To My Heart.  Simple card, but it's really jazzed up with the rhinestones, don't you think?

Now it's your turn!!!  Head over to FCCB and link up your own "blinged" project...I can't wait to see what you come up with!  And don't forget to check out the other fabulous projects by the super-duper Design Team while you're there...

Have a creative day!

Dimensional Paper Flowers

I made some paper flowers a few days ago for a wall hanging using instructions provided by Marta Gladden, but I decided to come up with some new varieties, for a special project that is currently in the works.  I didn't ink these or emboss them, as there are a LOT of them and I think that kind of detail would get lost with the project I'm using these for.  :)  If you want to see my project, check back in a day or two...I'll be posting photos.  :)

As always, I used my Cricut for these little guys:

Pink Rose (New Arrival)

Yellow Spider Mum (Accent Essentials):

White Spider Mum (Accent Essentials):

Red Star Flower (Stretch Your Imagination):

Coral Hibiscus (Storybook, Home Accents):

Yellow Daisy (Walk In My Garden, Stretch Your Imagination):

(didn't notice the hot glue string on this one until I photographed it...oops!)

The leaves are cut with Storybook.  These aren't hard at all, they just take a little patience.  Okay, a HUGE, TON, GOB of patience!  :)  But I think they're worth it.  Can't wait to finish my project...be sure to check back!

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!  :)

Flag & Tag Mini Album

This album was made by following a great tutorial by Patti at Creations by Patti.  Her flag card inspired this mini album!

 

Top view:

I used the cutting dimensions Patti gave in her tutorial, using solid colored cardstock as my base rather than patterned paper.  Then I adhered patterned paper (CTMH-Perfect Day) on the front and back covers and for the inside pockets.  When you pull the covers of this book apart, the "flags" pop in opposite directions, making this a super-unique little album!

I stamped on each of the smaller flags, and also on my tags (CTMH) and inserted the tags into the front and back pockets.  These would be great for extra photos or journaling.

Once closed, I added a cardstock strip around the album and adhered a decorative frame (Home Accents cartridge) to the top with foam dots.  Then I inked a flower and added a button to finish.

Thanks for looking and have a creative day!!!  :)

Perfect "Pear" Card (CTMH Veranda Collection)

I've been wanting to make one of these for FOREVER and today, after seeing one of my fellow Just Buggin DT Member's project for this week's challenge, I decided to do it!  :)  Thanks for the motivation, Robin!  You can see her super-cute card here.

Mine is made with CTMH's new Veranda papers.  I used Home Accents to cut the pears, then inked each piece with Cocoa ink (CTMH).  I adhered them to a coordinating piece of Veranda paper and added mini flowers and a brad (craft supply).

To finish, I added a scallop-edge strip to the right side of the mat and added "faux stitching" to the strip and the pear details.  Then I added a length of eyelet and a printed sentiment, matted with a coordinating Veranda patterned paper.  Thanks for looking!  :)

Just Buggin Challenge #19: "Treasure Life" Card

This week's challenge (#19) over at Just Buggin is called Stamping Fun: stamp on our project (and of course use our Cricut!). 

For this card, I used the Home Accents cartridge to cut the brown decorative frame from Chocolate cardstock (CTMH) and George to cut the circles from Felicity patterned papers (CTMH) and Chocolate cardstock.  For the stamping, I used the new "A Tweet" My Acrylix stamp set, which will be introduced in the new CTMH Idea Book, due out Jan. 1.  I used the birdie, branch and sentiment from this set. 

I cut out the birdie, inked the edges and adhered him to the square with foam dots for dimension.  I accented the stamped tree branch with mini Chocolate flowers and mini brads (craft supply).  I also added a mini brad for the birdie's eye.  I matted the design with Twilight cardstock and added a Desert Sand cardstock strip, both inked on the edges.  Before adhering the frame with birdie and sentiment, I tied some thin brown and tan ribbon (craft supply) around the front of the card and tied a bow.  Then I attached the frame with adhesive dots for extra dimension.

CTMH supply list:
Colonial White cardstock (card base)
Twilight cardstock (card mat)
Desert Sand cardstock (strip)
Felicity Patterned Papers (circles)
Chocolate cardstock (circles, decorative frame)
A Tweet My Acrylix Stamp Set
Exclusive Inks: Twilight, Chocolate, Desert Sand
Chocolate Mini Blooms
Other:  mini brads, narrow ribbon (craft supply)

Thanks for looking!  :)

Photo Tile Coasters With Vinyl

I made a set of photo coasters for each set of grandparents for Christmas (hope they're not checking my blog!)...

The photo of the second set is a little overexposed...they look more like the ones in the top photo.  :)

To make the coasters, I bought some smooth ivory travertine tiles from Home Depot.  I printed the photos onto tissue paper and Modge Podged them to the tiles.  I added two more coats of Modge Podge on top, tapping my foam brush over the surface so there weren't any brush stroke lines in the finish.

When dry, I added sentiments that were cut from black vinyl (using Home Decor and Home Accents cartridges).  Once adhered, I Modge Podged over the entire surface again.  Then I coated them with matte varnish (4-5 times each) and again tapped the brush over the surface to remove the brush stroke lines.  When dry, I hot glued cork to the back. 

The Mess Maker and Noise Maker will be giving/sending these to their grandparents for Christmas and the Mess Maker is REALLY excited!!!  :)

Thanks for looking!

Altered Paper Mache Gifts

I found these neat unfinished paper mache gifts with silver "bows" already attached at Hobby Lobby and they happened to be on sale at the time.  I inked and then covered them with this cute Christmas paper from Cloud 9 Design and then embossed some green cardstock strips for the "ribbon".  I Modge Podged everything for durability.

To complete the gifts, I cut two tags from TBBM and added a flourish and sentiment from Home Accents and Home Decor (Cricut).  I attached the tags to the gifts and put them on my coffee table as a centerpiece.

Thanks for looking!  :)

Just Buggin' DT Challenge #12: Triple Whammy

This week's Just Buggin DT Challenge (#12) is called "Triple Whammy"!  The challenge: use 3 die cuts on a project.  I wanted the images to coordinate really well, but I also wanted to make sure using three die cuts didn't overwhelm the project.  When I looked at my Home Accents cartridge, an idea popped into my head...and here is the result:

Supplies used:

1.  Travertine tile (Home Depot)

2.  Alcohol Inks: Latte, Mushroom, Ginger (Tim Holtz--Adirondack)

3.  Staz-On ink: Black

4.  Cricut Vinyl: Black

5.  Cricut cartridge: Home Accents

Other:  picture stand (Hobby Lobby)

These 4x4 travertine tiles are from Home Depot and come in a box of 9 for about $5.50.  Before you begin, you'll want to wash the tile well with water and wipe clean with a cloth...these are pretty dusty when you take them out of the box! 

To ink the background, use two or three colors of alcohol ink applied to an ink applicator pad (start out with a few of each color and add more as needed).  Dab all over the tile for an "aged" look.  Allow to dry.  Then, using Staz-On ink, apply black ink around the sides of the tile to "frame" the tile. Allow to dry. 

Using the Cricut, cut desired images (I used the "home" and a flourish image from Home Accents) from black vinyl.  Remove backing and adhere die cuts to tile, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles.  And that's it!  What a super-easy and fun project!!!

Thanks for looking!  :)

Live, Laugh, Love Paper Mache Balls

I made these decorative paper mache balls for a little centerpiece for my scraproom...in the black and white color scheme.  I used three styrofoam balls (Hobby Lobby) and coated them with Modge Podge.  I tore up several pieces of black and white patterned paper and sprayed them with water from a spray bottle.  When they were somewhat pliable, I layered them onto the balls and pressed with my hands until they were somewhat smooth.  When dry, I covered each with another coat of Modge Podge.

To embellish, I wrapped each ball with a coordinating ribbon.  Then I cut three scallop tags from the Home Accents cartridge in blackout.  I also cut the words "Live", "Laugh" and "Love" from the same cartridge.  I set a Soft Set Eyelet (CTMH) through each tag, and attached the tags with ribbon...

Thanks for looking!!!