FCCB Scrappin' Saturday: Job Layout Challenge!

I'm excited that we are having our first Scrappin' Saturday Layout Challenge today at Fantabulous Cricut (FCCB)!  I made the layout above for this challenge.

We are offering a prize...a Cricut Alphalicious cartridge goes to the winner!!!  The requirements are to make a layout about your job, featuring YOU, and to use at least one Cricut cut somewhere on your project.  Fun, right?  Participants have one week to complete their layout and submit to FCCB.

For my layout, I used the FABULOUS American Crafts Dear Lizzy collection papers.  These are leftovers from the class I took from Elizabeth Kartchner herself!  I love these papers...they just make me happy!

I used my Cricut George cartridge to cut the hearts and circles (to make the spiral flowers).  I lifted the edges of the hearts for dimension.

The spiral flowers, which I learned from Elizabeth Kartchner, are really simple.  You just spiral cut a circle (any size), leaving a small round portion uncut in the center of the flower.  Starting with the outermost end, begin rolling inward until you've reached the center.  Then just put a brad through the center of the flower (grabbing the innermost piece of the rolled flower) to secure it.  Using your hand, you can gently but firmly press down on the entire to flatten it out somewhat.

I also used the Street Sign cartridge for my title ("proof") and for the small arrows on the photos.  This layout is based on a sketch by PageMaps:

PageMaps is having a layout contest using this sketch.  The prize?  American Crafts Dear Lizzy collection products!!!  Hee, hee...

Happy Crafting!

FCCB Scrappin' Saturday #3: Custom Word Books

Today's FCCB Scrappin' Saturday topic is making your own, custom word books with your Cricut!  This is a mini album word book I made a couple of months ago for a workshop.  I had no idea how to make these until I found this AWESOME, step-by-step tutorial over at ACherryOnTop.  Once I read through the tutorial and tried it for myself, I realized just how simple these are to make!  Note:  You'll need Cricut Design Studio to weld the pages for these albums.

You can pick any font, word, shape or theme from the cartridges you own and make any size mini-album you want!  I just love the flexibility this gives and ESPECIALLY that I don't have to sand or trim my papers to fit on top...just cut them just like you cut your chipboard for the pages and they'll fit perfectly on top!  WOO HOO!!!

If you try one of these albums, let me know...I'd love to see your results!  Head over to FCCB for more information and to check out the other fabulous projects featured there each week!

Happy Scrappin'!

FCCB Scrappin' Saturday #2: Custom Die-Cut Background Paper

My topic this week for FCCB's Scrappin' Saturday is creating custom, die-cut background papers for your layouts!  You know those super-expensive laser-edge or die-cut edge papers you find at the scrapbook store?  They typically cost a LOT more than your standard papers and come in very few patterns/colors...so why not make them yourself???

Using your Cricut and the blackout feature on many images, you can cut your own die-cut papers to match any theme you're working with.  Here, I used Storybook to create a 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch decorative shape.  I used the shadow feature to cut in in turquoise, then used the standard mode to cut the black/white patterned piece.  I layered them to give it the look of a bordered die-cut paper.

Give this a try and let me know what you come up with!  You can go super-simple, like a scalloped circle, or super-detailed, with lace-look edges and details.  I promise you'll be excited at the endless options this technique provides!

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

FCCB: Scrappin' Saturday Feature: Custom Shaped Mini-Albums

I am just so proud to be part of the awesome, super-talented group of designers over at Fantabulous Cricut (FCCB)!!!  And I am so excited to announce that Robin has put me in charge of the "Scrappin' Saturday" Daily Inspiration, which will be featured every Saturday at FCCB!

The topic for my first Scrappin' Saturday at FCCB is "Custom Shaped Mini-Albums"...did you know you can make these yourself???  With a little help from your Cricut, of course!  :)   I used the front and back of two ceral boxes in place of costly chipboard and used the George, Plantin, Accent Essentials and Walk In My Garden cartridges to cut the four different flower shapes (and patterned papers to cover each) at 6".  Here are some photos of my project:

Be sure to head over to FCCB to see my original post and information on how to make your own custom shaped mini-album.  And become a follower to make sure you don't miss any of the other great daily inspirations, including:

1.  Challenge Me Monday:  Weekly Challenge Revealed...play along with us!

2.  Quick Tip Tuesday: A great tip on using your Cricut is revealed

3.  Wednesday's Winners:  The winners from the previous week's challenge will be announced

4.  Thursday's Tutorials:  A fantastic weekly tutorial on a Cricut project

5.  Fantabulous Friday:  A wonderful themed Cricut project spotlight

6. Scrappin' Saturday:  Everything related to using your Cricut for scrapbooking

Don't those sound fun?!?!?  Now head on over to FCCB and check out this week's Daily Inspirations!