Paper Orchid

I found a tutorial by a really crafty lady named Tarah Faulkner on YouTube on how to make a paper orchid.  She cut the petals for each flower by hand and used cardstock to wrap  the stems.  Since I'm "busy" (read: "lazy") I decided to use my beloved Cricut to help me make one of my own!

For this project, I used the following Cricut cartridges and sizes for my flowers:
1.  Accent Essentials: Accent33 (+shift) at 4" for narrow petals
2.  Storybook: "B" (+shift, +Accent/Blackout) at 2" for wide petals
3.  Walk In My Garden: Leaf1 (+Blackout) at 1 1/4" for ruffled petal

Using the Cricut took only a fraction of the time it would have taken to cut these petals by hand.  Additionally, I did not attach each petal to a piece of floral wire, as was shown in the tutorial for this project. I simply curled each petal with my stylus and then hot glued them to the center piece (which is attached to floral wire).  And instead of using dampened cardstock strips to wrap the stems, I used floral tape!  This also cut my assembly time tremendously!

Hope you enjoy this project!  Have a creative day!!!  :)

WINNER!!! (Of My Blog Candy) & Reader Inspiration!

I had some AWESOME entries for my blog candy giveaway and I want to announce the winner of the CTMH Stamp Set.......(drum roll, please)......it's PinkDalmations for her SUPER-cute "Family" word book!!!

Inside view (last page):

Isn't that adorable???  Congratulations PinkDalmations!!!  Be sure to email me your mailing address and I'll send your stamp set to you! 

Here are the other super-awesome entries I received and I wanted to highlight their beautiful work...thank you to everyone that entered and submitted a project!  You've inspired me and I'm ready to go create!!!  :)

Here's a beautiful painted canvas by Emily:

Here are two awesome painted/altered wall canvases by Laura:

And here is a nifty cookbook rack by PinkDalmations (her other entry) that folds up under the cabinet when not in use:

*Note:  Entries that did not link to a specific project were not considered for the giveaway, as they did not meet the specific requirements of the contest. 

Thanks again ladies, for the AWESOME and inspirations projects!!! :)

***UPDATE: Since it has been over a month and I have not heard back from my winner (after two attempts at contacting her) I will now choose a NEW WINNER!!!  Drum roll, please...EMILY!!!  Congratulations Emily!  This stamp set is sooooo fun and is just waiting for you to come up with something beautiful to use it on!  Thanks again for entering!!!

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 Challenge #14: Layers (On A Wall Canvas)

I made these 16x20 canvases for the Mess Maker's and Noise Maker's playroom wall.  I decided to use neutral colors so they would blend with anything (and so they weren't overly busy!). 

I used George for the circles, star and flower die cuts, Base Camp for the names and Home Decor for the parenthesis.  I used the shadow feature on all of the cuts.  I used coordinating patterned paper to mat the photos, and for the top layer of the flower, star and parenthesis. 

I wrapped a dark brown grosgrain ribbon (craft supply) around each canvas where the patterned papers met.  I also wrapped hemp (CTMH) around each canvas three times, tying it in the front.  Additional embellishments include photo corners, ribbon brads (Paper Studio) with striped ribbon (craft supply) in the center of the star/flower, and buttons (CTMH) threaded with hemp and matted with additional paper circles.

The best thing about these canvases is that even though I Modge Podged all elements to the canvases for durability, I didn't adhere the photos down...they're simply inserted into the photo corners and can be easily slipped out and replaced.  So as the kids grow, I can print new 8x10 photos and insert them into the photo corners!

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!  :)

Craft: Yellow "Laugh" Mini Card (BBTB Challenge: WIMG)

The current challenge on Bitten By the Bug is to use the "card2" and "envelope2" cuts from the Walk In My Garden Cricut cartridge, and to use yellow. I made this mini-card with two-sided paper from Imaginisce. I used the WIMG cartridge for the card base and envelope. And I used the Home Decor cartridge (my FAV!!!) for the swirl frame. I cut the frame in white and the shadow in light blue. I matted the cirlce with yellow and used a "Laugh" rub-on by Paper Bliss. I added two layered silk flowers with a rhinestone brad and put stickles over the white to give it some sparkle (the paper has a bit of sparkle on it, but you can't tell in the photo). I wrapped a light blue ribbon around, tied a bow and then added the frame. The envelope has a layered flower accent on the flap. TFL!!! :)

Craft: Altered Birdhouse Frame (Use It Challenge #23)

This week's challenge project at Use It Challenges is by Regina Jones...and it offers the following criteria:

1. What is old is new again...break out those really old papers

2. The eyes have it...use some eyelets

3. Neglected stamps...use a stamp you haven't used in about 6 months

4. Use a non-scrappy item

For this project, I got out an unfinished wood birhouse picture frame {criteria 4} I've been wanting to decorate to put on the door to my daughter's (The Mess Maker's) room. This was the perfect opportunity to get it done! I painted it white and adhered an old sheet of polka dot paper (old as in 2004!) {criteria #1} to the front. Then I added a strip of snipped green paper for "grass" at the bottom.

I used my Cricut for the branch and bird diecuts (Home Decor Cartridge) and embellished the bird. I added flowers to the front, using turquoise eyelets {criteria 2} for the flower centers. To finish, I stamped "Hello" and added a floral stamp (which I JUST found a couple of days ago!) at the bottom of the frame {criteria #3}.

It makes a nice door decoration to tell whose room it is...and incorporates one of the Mess Maker's favorite things (right now)...birdhouses!!! :)

Craft: Cricut Design T-Shirts & Bag

Here is my latest craft project...t-shirts and a bag that I embellished with iron-ons that I cut with my Cricut machine! I used iron-on transfer paper (purchased at Office Depot) directly in my Cricut to create these designs:


This one is my fav! Love the sporty look it gave the plain gray t-shirt. I used the Graphically Speaking cartridge for the "old SCHOOL" logo, printed on plain white iron-on transfer paper:

This one was made with the Home Decor cartridge. I copied a piece of patterned paper onto the iron-transfer paper, then cut the design with the Cricut...gives it a "patterned" flourish instead of a plain white cut-out:

Here is one of the Mess Maker's plain pink t-shirts. I used the Home Decor cartridge again to make the bird cut-out on plain white iron-on transfer paper:

This is a plain canvas tote bag that I used the Accent Essentials cartridge for. I printed a red background onto the iron-on transfer paper, then cut out the frames from the red background. Then I printed a picture of the Mess Maker and the Noise Maker and cut them to fit inside the frames:
Hope you enjoy! :)