Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #7: For Mom

The challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog this week is called "For Mom":  make something for Mother's Day.  I went with a card because my mom loves my handmade cards.  :)

I used a pink and green flourish/floral paper for the card mat and inked the edges in pink and rounded  the corners.  The green strip in the middle is inked and embossed (Cuttlebug--Birds & Swirls).  It's backed by two scallop edge white strips (EK Success punch) and adhered to the card.  I also added two white brads on the sides of the green strip. 

For the "M"s, I used Opposites Attract, with the upright shadow feature on the dark pink and the standard upright on the light pink.  Both are inked, adhered together and then popped with adhesive foam dots.  The flower in the center is made with layered multi-sized flowers cut from Walk In My Garden.  The edges are curled with a stylus, inked and then they're adhered together.  I threaded narrow white ribbon through a pink button, tied a knot and adhered it to the center of the flower.  The flower takes the place of the "O" in the word "MOM".

So that's it!  Hope you enjoyed my project for FCCB's challenge #7!  Head on over and check out the other fabulous projects by the DT and let us know what you think!  And don't forget to link up your own Mother's Day project by next Sunday night!

Have a creative day!  :)

Craft Fair Goodies!!!

I went to my first craft fair this morning!  Okay, it was actually an expo for moms to showcase their businesses, but there were customers!!!  So even though the focus of my display was for Close To My Heart and sharing the classes and clubs I'm offering, I wanted to make a few little "goodies" for sale as well.  :)

I didn't sell very many, but I think they'll make cute little treats to give out on Halloween!  The first item I made was the peppermint patty spider...I've seen these several places, but my inspiration came from Dawn's Blog...I just love the super-cute projects she posts!  The one shown on her site was made with punches but since I was making 40 of them and didn't want to cut out 100s of shapes, I decided to use my good friend, the Cricut.  Here is my result:

I used the scallop (blackout) circle from the Storybook cartridge for the body, and the parenthesis from the Opposties Attract cartridge for the legs.  I cut mini circles to back the googly eyes and cut mini red paper noses as well.   The peppermint patty is hidden between the scallop circles!

The second item I made was the Sesame Street character play-doh.  I got the idea from Kerry's Blog and fell in love with these little guys! 

They were as simple as cutting a tag from Storybook, folding it in half and attaching to the baggie with glue dots.  Then I made the sesame street guys using the same scallop circle as the spiders, and added various sized circles for the facial features.  A little ribbon added some color to the tag.

The third item I made was "Ghost Poop"...hah!  I found this little poem online and came up with this design myself:

I again used the tag from Storybook, folded it in half and then glued it to the bag with glue dots.  I printed the poem on cardstock, matted with purple cardstock and attached.  I tied a ribbon around, then cut a ghost out of patterned paper and matted with a larger purple circle and adhered it with a foam dot.  That's it!  Here's the poem:

"Ghost Poop"

I hear that you've been playing tricks,

So listen here's the scoop...

I'm running short on candy treats,

So this year you get Ghost Poop!!!

My table at the craft fair:

Water(melon) Baby Layout

This page is based on this week's Friday Sketch Challenge from ScrapSketch...I love this sketch!  As soon as I saw it, even though it is obviously based on a Halloween theme, I thought of a watermelon, then thought of this paper I've had for a while, then thought of the cutie-patootie watermelon suit The Mess Maker had that first summer after she was born, at 6 months.  She was soooooooo cute!  (And still is of course!)

I used my Cricut to cut the layered circles for the watermelon slice, and narrow ovals for the seeds (George), then cut each circle in half.  I cut the pink glitter circle into four "slices" (triangles) and trimmed them a little so the yellow would show through.  I also used my Cricut for the title (Opposites Attract)...then layered the words on strips of yellow cs to make them pop a little agasint that patterned background.

Everything's inked on the edges and even though the paper already had a good amount of sparkle to it, I added stickles to the word "melon" and also to the green rind of the watermelon.  A few buttons and a little rickrack later, and I was done!  Thanks for looking!!!  :)

Original Sketch:

"Little Pumpkin" Layout

Another layout made on my scrapbooking retreat...the orange scallop edge cardstock square was cut with my Cricut.  I like that I can make any color of cardstock into a decorative edge piece, instead of paying a higher price for pre-cut shapes!!!  :)  I also used my Cricut for the title.  Thanks for looking!

File Folder Accordian Tag Album

My friend is a CTMH consultant and had a "Fit Folios" album class the other night where we made accordian albums from these 12 x 12 file folders used to hold memorabilia in scrapbooks.  I thought it was a pretty clever idea and decided if it could be made from those, it likely could be made from a regular cheapo file folder from the office supply store...and I was right!  :)

To make the album, I opened the file folder and folded it the opposite way.  I then folded it in half, and then folded each side in half again, to form four 4 1/2" rectangles.  Then I creased all the folds with my bone folder.  To adhere the pages, I ran my tape runner along each crease (on the inside of the file folder) and then on the very outside edges as well.  Then I folded it back up, accordian style, and it made four pockets, one on each folded page.

I used some coordinating papers from Imaginisce and covered both sides (8 rectangles total).  I used my old school CM circle cutter to cut half circles at the top of the inside pages (my friend's idea)...then cut the patterned paper to match.  I inked all the edges and embellished it with die cuts from my Cricut:  frame, italic sentiments, flowers, hearts (HD), title (OA).  I also added several stamped journaling spots.

To make the tags, I cut coordinating cardstock slightly smaller than the pocket size, about 4 1/4 wide by 5 3/4 long.  I rounded the corners, inked the edges and punched a hole in the top for ribbon accents.  The front page tag has to be slightly narrower to fit in the pocket, as the tabbed portion of the file folder makes that rectangle just slightly smaller.

And that's it...super easy, super quick, and super fun!  TFL!!!  :)

Toilet Paper Roll Mini Album

I'm done rolling in the mud and oinking...the flu has all but passed.  FINALLY.  I can honestly say that this is the first time in thirty-something years that I have ever had the flu and it sucks!  :)

Anyway, this is my first project since getting sick and it was soooooo fun.  I'd seen these "Toilet Paper Roll Mini Albums" before but hadn't tried one...until today!  LOVE IT!  I think the best thing about it is the cost...almost nothing! 

I was assigned with coming up with a craft project for my mother's group at church and I think these will be a big hit and very cost-friendly.  So, the theme of this TP book is "Pray".  We are going to use it to keep our weekly scripture cards all in one place.  I'm calling it my "Toilet Paper Scripture Card Album"....  :)

I used some paper I've had forever by Cosmo Cricket (I almost donated this paper a while back...glad I didn't!).  I flattened five TP tubes, adhered paper and inked the edges.  Then I added paper embellishments, also inked:  photo corners (punch), words, flowers (Cricut: Home Decor and George), "PRAY" (Cricut: Opposites Attract) and scallop borders on the tags (punch).  I also stamped two journaling blocks onto coordinating cardstock, inked the edges and adhered those inside two pages: 

I used the Cricut to cut scallop tags (Tags, Bags, Boxes & More) at 4 1/2 inches out of cardstock, which slide inside the flattened TP tubes.  I tied ribbons to the ends for easy handling. 

Lastly,  I finally got to use my new Bind It All by Zutter for the edge binding...sooooo easy and soooo fun!  I tied ribbons on the binding to finish it off.  That's it...thanks for looking!  :)

Natural Beauty Layout

This layout is based on a sketch by Pencil Lines (#149). I always like to try new things to keep scrapbooking exciting and interesting... This is my first circle layout and I must say that I think it's really fun! The paper line by My Little Shoebox is just tooooooo cute, and perfect for the subject of "natural" beauty.

I layered a coordinating paper over the circle paper. Then I tied a sheer polka dot bow. I matted my photos and placed them according to the sketch. I used some pre-made flower embellishments with a little "sparkle" and then cut my title (and layer) with my Cricut (Opposites Attract cartridge). Ta-da! TFL!!! :)

Layout: "Don't Laugh With Food In Your Mouth" (Friday Scrapsketch Challenge)

This layout was made from yesterday's Scrapsketch Challenge...I found three photos of the Mess Maker that I just had to put on a layout and I thought this one was perfect for them! 

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I didn't have the scallop-frame paper, so I cut a piece of 12x12 patterned paper with the Cricut (Storybook).  Then I matted it with brown and orange cardstock. 

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I made an orage scallop-edge border strip and pulled ribbons through the holes.  I cut a 1-inch strip from some packing material (brown ridged cardboard) and inked the edges and top and then sanded over the inking.  I inked another green strip of patterned paper and placed all three strips together in the center. 

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I cut the title with the Cricut as well (PS and OA).  I matted the words "in your mouth" with cream cardstock strips. 

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The flower embellishment is also made with the Cricut (AE).  I tied a ribbon through a button and centered it

in the flower.

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Here's the original sketch:

TFL!!!  :) 

SB Layout: "Coming Home"

Well, I'm back in the scrapbooking game....it's about time!  I honestly haven't completed a layout in MONTHS!!!  I've been into cards a lot lately and kind of put my scrapbooking on the back burner for awhile...and the Mess Maker's scrapbook (or lack thereof) can prove it!  I decided it's time to start the Noise Maker's scrapbook and since I've barely finished any of the Mess Maker's, it was time to start making pages again.

The photos for this layout are from 2 1/2 years ago when we brought the Mess Maker home from the hospital...she was 4 days old.  I figured she'd want to see the house we lived in at the time (we've since moved).  I printed the photos in black and white and matted them on cream cs.  Then I used a stripe pattern for another vertical mat and a house pattern (adhesive backed canvas) for a horizontal mat.  I painted chipboard letters in brown and used the Cricut "Opposites Attract" cartridge to cut out "coming".  Then I just added some embellishments:  three layered flower accents, one house (cut from patterned paper), brads and rub-ons to form a half-circle, ribbon, a name plate, and date (made on the computer)...that's it!

TFL!!!  :)

Craft: My 2008 Christmas Card

I sat down a couple of months before Christmas last year to try and come up with some ideas for cards...I started playing and ended up with this.

I used my Cricut (of course!), though at the time I hadn't upgraded to the Expression yet. I added some ribbon to the antlers and stickles to the nose and antlers for some "sparkle". :)

Cartridges: Doodlecharms for reindeer, George for tag, Stretch Your Imagination for holly, Opposites Attract for "JOY"

Craft: "CREATE" Curtain Rod Decoration

I used to share my scrapbooking space with the Mess Maker in the downstairs bedroom. But we decided to convert our upstairs gameroom into a playroom, and put the guestroom downstairs so our guests could have their own bathroom (instead of sharing one with the Mess Maker!)...so, that left the old guestroom empty. Hmmm...what could we possibly do with it? Oh, I know! :) I snatched the room for myself (and my ever-growing stash of supplies)!

I decided to do a black and white theme throughout the room, with a taupe-gray color on the walls. I LOVE the elegant, grown-up look (compared to the bright juvenile colors of the playroom!). I made some curtains with a black and white fabric but decided the window needed something more. Then I got the idea to add the letters of the word "CREATE"...a perfect description of what I use the room for.

So here is my latest craft...I used my Cricut to cut the frames (Accent Essentials cartridge) and backed them with white cardstock, then cut the letters (Opposites Attract cartridge) and used a liquid adhesive pen to attach them to the frames. I finished the frames off with some swirl clips and ribbons... Hope you like it!