Cricut Monthly Challenge Home Decor

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! Wow, Halloween is only 10 days away, I have got to get busy! I still have to finish the cupcake holders and assorted treat ideas I have for my son's class. Believing I was going to have so much done by now, ha! I made extra banner cuts when I entered the Cricut Banner contest, so I was hoping to actually make myself a banner for Halloween this year. Something tells me that may not happen. At least I have the outside of my house decorated...

Last month in the Cricut Circle Magazine, magazine DT member Janet Wilkins created a fabulous Spooky tree and I knew I had to try my hand at it. This is my version of her tree. Janet used a black tree branch and a 4 inch block, Unfortunately it has been so wet around here that I needed to buy a branch at AC Moore. It lights up and I got it for $5.00. Don't you just love 50% off coupons! LOL! At 17 inches, it was the smallest of 3 sizes. I may go back and try a bigger version of the tree for the holidays if I have the time. Here is the info from the Circle Blog for the challenge.

The Challenge: Create a Halloween Home Decor project! Your project must include at least 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing.
How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 9:00 pm MST on Sunday,October 30th, 2011.
Prize: This month the winner will receive $150.00 in credit to Cricut.com.
Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog on Tuesday, November 1st, 2011.

So with all the new carts just released, I REALLY need to win this challenge! LOL!

Here's how I created my version.



Materials

Cricut Gypsy

Cricut E-2

Carts used: Chic and Scary, October 31st and Happy Hauntings

Martha Stewart Glitter: Glow In The Dark, Coarse Glitter, Peridot and Onyx

Stickles: Black Diamond and Purple

I-Rock and Jolees Hot Fix Crystals

Ribbon and Twine

3-D Crystal Lacquer, Ranger Glossy Accents

Styrofoam and a cardboard box from my stash

Papers and Chipboard

I designed all the tree charms using my Gypsy and the cartridges listed. I cut them using the E-2 on multi-cut 2 times. The chipboard I used was a backing I had saved from a paper stack that I actually finished! The tree charms were all cut between 1 and 1/2 inches to 2 inches.

I hid the contours on my Gypsy so that the chipboard was basically a shadow of the ornaments. Then I went back, copied the cuts to a new page on the Gypsy, and cut them with my chosen papers. I also flipped all the images and cut them, as well. I added lots of glitter, stickles and some bling for embellishments. Once they were all dry, I punched holes in them and used some natural twine I've had for ages for ties.

Here are a couple of favs.

I  love the October 31st cut from Chic and Scary. I used some Theresa Collins Halloween paper for this ornament. I added some Black Diamond Stickles and orange ribbon for some extra decoration. In the picture above the close up, you can see that I used the negative cuts for the other side of the ornament. I love the coarse glitter on the Witch. Every spooky tree needs a sparkly black cat! That is the MS Onyx glitter on it. The purple witch ornament has a funny story attached to it. It's not in any of the pictures of the tree because it went missing right before I took the photos and turned up right before the tree was leaving the house to go to it's new home. It seems a little kitten thought the twine was for him to play with, so he took it, must have batted it around then lost it under the TV stand. I tried to get a picture real fast of it before my DH took it for delivery, and got picture proof that I should sweep more and spend less time crafting or on the internet! LOL! Yes that is a kitty hair on it in the picture, yes it was properly cleaned off before DH left the house, and no I did not sweep under the TV stand even after finding the ornament! I wanted to do a close up of my favorite Halloween cut this year, the Headless Horseman from Happy Hauntings, but unfortunately, it came out blurry. Here he is on the tree.

I used MS Glow In the Dark Glitter on the tree. I used MS decoupage Glue and  sealer to adhere the glitter.

I found a box that I had saved for future use that was perfect for this. And opened it flat.

I covered it with paper and ribbon, then hot glued Styrofoam inside it for the tree.

I added all the ornaments to the tree and tied an orange ribbon around the bottom. This is it lit. It's pretty, isn't it?

I decided to make this tree for one of my dearest friends, my son's Godmother. She was here visiting us last week when she showed me a picture on her phone of a Halloween tree from Walmart that she had wanted since last year, but couldn't find anymore. My DH was a sweetie and took it to deliver to her today. This was a fun project to create and give as a gift. If you have some extra crafting time, why not give this one a try?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Cricut Circle Blogiversary Challenge

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BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Cuttlebug Challenge!

The WINNER of this challenge will receive a Yudu CardShop Machine!
The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using your Cuttlebug machine as the main focus. Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing. One entry per person please.
How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 11:59 pm MST on Friday, October 14th, 2011.
Prize: The winner of this challenge will receive a Yudu CardShop Machine.
Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog the weekend of October 15th-16th, 2011.

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! Today is the final day for the Cricut Circle Blogiversary Challenge entries. I had really wanted to enter this particular challenge because I would love to win the Yudu Card Shop. I have been enjoying seeing so many fun and creative ways to use the cupcake treat box from Sweet Tooth Treats Project Cartridge. There have been Pumpkins, Apples , and even Angry Birds! LOL! I 've been thinking that it's a fun way to send cupcakes in to school for my son's class this Halloween. He only has 6 students in the class, so it won't be an overwhelming project. Here are the materials I used.

Materials

Cuttlebug

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Rivets, Bubbles, Swirls, Zig Zag Border and Swiss Dots)

Gypsy

Imagine

Cricut Cartridges (Sweet Tooth Boxes, MS All Occasions Cake Art, Happy Hauntings and MIni Monsters)

Embellies, Brads, Purple Stickles and String from my stash

I-Rock and I-Rock Glam Rocks

Scor Tape, Pop Dots and Glue Dots

On the Monster, I used my Cuttlebug and embossed the lid with the Rivets Cuttlebug Folder. I also embossed his hands. The hands, face and scar are from Happy Hauntings. They were layers for a monster on it. I used a piece of yellow cardstock for a background on the eyes, then added Glam Rocks on them. I cut the monster's hair from the grass border on MS All Occasions Cake Art and ran it through the cuttlebug with a zig zag border. I used pop dots to adhere the hair. I hand cut a little tag and wrote for you on it, then tied it to the monster with some black leather string I had laying around on the craft table.I used two brads for the bolts on his head.  Here he is finished:

The ghost is my first attempt at making the cupcake box. I think I may have put it together wrong, but it's a learning experience. LOL! I used the Bubble cuttlebug folder for the lid, the Swirls for his eyes and mouth and my all time favorite Swiss Dots for the bow tie. I cut his eyes, mouth and bow tie from Mini Monsters. I outlined his tie with Purple Stickles and used a plastic Trick or Treat embellie in the center. I thought I had google eyes somewhere, but couldn't find them, so I used pop dots on his eyes. Here is the finished Ghost:

Aren't they a pair? I had a blast creating these. I am excited to make some more for Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen



Monochromatic Color Challenge

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BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Monochromatic Color Challenge!

The WINNER of this challenge will receive a Gypsy Handheld Design Device!

The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using a monochromatic color scheme. Your project must include atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.

Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include atleast 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing.

How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 11:59 pm MST on Friday, October 14th, 2011.

Prize: The winner of this challenge will receive a Gypsy Handheld Design Device.

Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog the weekend of October 15th-16th, 2011.

I wasn't planning on entering this challenge, but my Mom needed a simple card for a note, so I created this. Both cuts are from Damask Decor. I colored the images with the blues from the Blossom Cartridge on my Imagine. To finish it, I added some blue ribbon and I-Rock Gems.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

 

Cricut Blogiversary Challenge

BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Imagine Layer & Print Challenge!

The WINNER of this challenge will receive a Cricut Cake Machine!

The Challenge: Use your Imagine Machine to print a background (it can be a solid color or a patterned paper from your Imagine cartridge) and use it on your project as well as cutting an image of your choice in layers- that’s right, choose the layers option on your image and print out one or all of the layers offered, piece them together on your project!

Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing.

How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 11:59 pm MST on Friday, October 14th, 2011.

Prize: The winner of this challenge will receive a Cricut Cake Machine.

Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog the weekend of October 15th-16th, 2011.

 

 

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! I know, most of you are not used to seeing 3 posts from me in a week. I'm lucky if I can get 3 posts in 2 months in on a regular basis! I have been trying to keep up with the Cricut Circle Blogiversary Challenges. This is for a Cricut Cake. The one ProvoCraft machine that I don't own. It was a simple challenge too. That made it even better for me. I rarely make full cards with my Imagine. Most of the time I will just use the Imagine to cut images from my Gypsy, so this was different for me. I've owned the Imagine since May, and this is technically only the 2nd card I have made using it. LOL!

I used Just Because for the base of the card. The challenge requires using a background printed from the Imagine. I used Imagine More Cards and printed the lined schoolbook paper for my background. I also used Imagine More to print the Hello image and a layer from a tag on the cart for the word Friend. Since it's white, it's hard to see, but I used an Atou Spica Glitter pen in clear over the words Friend and Hello for some sparkle.

I used the Imagine Cartridge Enjoy The Seasons and a shape from the Imagine to print out an extra layer. I really like that green paisley design on the cartridge. I outlined it with Gold Stickles.

For the layered requirement of the challenge, I printed and cut the Apple with the Worm, also from Enjoy The Seasons. I printed 6 apples, 3 extra sets of leaves and 1 extra worm. I took one apple and adhered it directly to the card. Then I used pop dots and adhered the next apple. I took 2 apples and adhered them together so that they looked double sided. I did that again with the final 2 apples that were left. I scored the apples down the center. I used hot glue and glued the two apples on to the apples on the card. Using pop dots, I popped the leaves in layers and the worm. I used glue dots and placed dew drops all over the apple. Here's how it looks from the side.

I finished the card off with some pink and green ribbon. I used another piece of lined notebook paper I printed from Imagine More Cards for the inside and left it blank so that I can jot a note when I want to let one of my friends know I was thinking of them. It was a fun, easy card to create.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

 

Sophie meets Alice in Wonderland

It’s been ONE YEAR since we opened the Circle Blog! Can you believe it?! One year of friends, one year of inspirational projects, one year of challenges, one year of prizes, and MORE! And we have LOVED every minute of it! We have loved creating alongside of you and getting to know you. And we are ready to CELEBRATE!!!
So this week will be a week full of challenges . . . an online crop of sorts . . . with chances to win some FABULOUS prizes! Each day we will present you with a creative challenge. At the bottom of each post will be an Inlinkz tool for you to submit your entry for that particular challenge. (Be sure to enter your projects on the correct day to qualify!) All entries need to be NEWLY CREATED for our Blogiversary Celebration. Play as much or as little as you would like! But remember that All challenge entries will be due by Friday, October 14th, 2011. WINNERS will be chosen and announced the weekend of the 15th-16th. Have fun and GOOD LUCK!
Now for our first challenge!

BLOGIVERSARY CHALLENGE: Exclusive Circle Cartridge Challenge!

Whether you have been a Circle Member for a quarter or a year . . . we want to see you ROCK your Exclusive Circle Cartridges for this challenge! Please create a project of your choice using one or more of the exclusive Circle cartridges: French Manor, Shall We Dance, Cricut Everyday, Pop-Up Neighborhood, or Sophie! The WINNER of this challenge will receive a $75 Credit to Cricut.com!
The Challenge: Create a project of your choice with one or more of the Cricut Circle Exclusive cartridges! (French Manor, Shall We Dance, Cricut Everyday, Pop-Up Neighborhood, or Sophie) Your project must include at least 2 different Cricut Image Cuts. And YES! You can mix in other cartridges with your Circle Exclusive cartridges.
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. You can create any type of project you would like (tag, altered project, mini album, etc.) but your project must be newly created for this challenge and include at least 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing.
How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 11:59 pm MST on Friday, October 14th, 2011.
Prize: The winner of this challenge will receive $75.00 in credit to Cricut.com.
Winner: The winner will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog the weekend of October 15th-16th, 2011.


Hi friends and fellow crafters!
The Cricut Circle Blog is one year old and they are having all types of fun challenges this week. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Last year when the blog first launched, I was home recovering from surgery, so I had nothing but time on my hands. I was super lucky and won a case of mats and blades! The best prize ever! A year has gone by, and I have barely scratched the surface of my big win. My sweetie hubby says I am hoarding them like a happy miser! This week, I plan on using my mats and blades and enter as many of the challenges as I can. This is fair warning to my sweetie hubby, it looks like our house will be pretty messy by Saturday! Oh, and get out the menus, we'll be ordering in alot this week!
I had wanted to send a birthday card to one of my Mother in law's good friends, but got behind and missed it. I decided to take this opportunity to use the new Cricut Circle Cartridge Sophie and make a fun card for her.This is what happens when Sophie meets Alice in Wonderland

Materials:

Cricut Gypsy and Imagine

Cartridges: Sophie, Sophisticated and Home Decor

Vagabond and Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Crafty Secrets Greetings From Wonderland Stamps

Copic Markers

Ribbon, Buttons, Chain, Embellies

Martha Stewart Glitter

3-D Crystal Lacquer

Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Memento Gold Dew Drops

I am a huge fan of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, or any version of Alice In Wonderland, for that matter. Last year Graphic 45 released it's Hallowe'en in Wonderland Paper and I knew that I just had to have it. I ordered a 12x12 paper stack and then hoarded it for a year. Right after I found the paper, I discovered that Crafty Secrets had a set of Alice stamps called Greetings From Wonderland. It was a must have, which sat for, that's right...a year, unused. I decided that these stamps would be perfect for a belated Birthday card. I am really enjoying the new Circle Exclusive Cartridge, Sophie. It has amazing card carts, doilies, bookmarks, it is just full of wonderful images. It's my favorite of all the Circle carts, so far. I chose to use card 2 from page 53. It sort of reminded me of a Fleur De Lis. I used Grahic 45 Hallowe'en in Wonderland paper as the mat. Under the Sophie card cut, I added a piece of K&Company paper that was in my scrap basket. I used some purple jewels that were in a container on my craft table to add a pop of color to the brown cardstock that I used to cut the card. I added the red velvet ribbon to the front of the card. 

 I can't believe that I haven't used these stamps before now! I LOVE this Queen Of Hearts! Look at that face! LOL! I colored her using Copics and Atyou Spica Glitter pens. The heart scepter and crown have much more sparkle than the pictures show. I used pop dots to raise her up on the card.

I used the March Hare as my main focus of the card, since he is the one who is late in Alice, much like my card was late. I cut a doily from Sophie and ran it through the Vagabond with a cuttlebug folder.

I took some Gold Memento Dew Drop and highlighted the embossed design with it. I also adhered the March Hare with Pop Dots. You can see a better view of the doily on the picture below. I know the doilies on Sophie will be getting much use on my cards.

I cut two Pocket Watches from Teresa Collins Sophisticated Cartridge and decided to stamp the sentiments on them. I doodled the numbers. That is not something I would typically do, but I was forced into it, LOL, because the number layer didn't look right with the stamp. I took two buttons and added some chain that I have had on my table for an eternity and used them as embellishments for the watches.

The stamp set included the Red King! The poor King gets no love, so I colored him up and added him to the card. He's quite noble, isn't he? Too bad the Queen is really the one who wears the pants in that royal family!

I cut two hearts from Home Decor, then used 3-D Crystal Lacquer to add some Martha Stewart Glitter to them. I like how they came out, I used three colors on the hearts instead of just one. I like the effect.

I used my computer to create the sentiment. When I showed it to my dear sweetie, I learned something new about him after 30 years, he has no clue what Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is about! He was truly baffled by the sentiment.

He said he wasn't sure if my Mother In Law's friend would get it, but I assured him that he was probably the only person on the face of this earth that didn't get it. LOL!

Here's one last look at the complete card.

I think my Sophie cartridge will be meeting with my Alice stamps again in the future! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen



So much glitter! Weekly Challenge #42

 

Weekly Challenge #42: World Card-Making Day Challenge!

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Weekly Challenge #42: World Card-Making Day Challenge!

The Challenge: For this next challenge, we want to see you show off your card-making skills in honor of World Card-Making Day (October 1st). The requirements are simple . . . create a card with any theme you would like using your Cricut machines!
Rules and Guidelines: Circle Blog Challenges are open to Cricut Circle Members only. Your project must be newly created for this challenge and include at least 2 Cricut Image Cuts. You must submit a project to be entered into the Challenge Prize Drawing. One entry per person, please.
How to Enter: Submit your entry using the InLinkz tool found at the bottom of this post. Please post your full name along with your entry. Entries are due by 9:00 pm MST on Thursday, October 13th, 2011.
Prize: This week we will choose THREE winners to receive $25 in credit added to their Cricut.com account. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery from winner announcement.
Winner: The winners will be selected randomly from qualifying entries using www.random.org

So Much Glitter!

Materials Used

Gypsy

Imagine (just for cutting)

Cricut Cartridges:

Happy Hauntings, October 31st,

Grey and Teal Cardstock

Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland Cardstock

Martha Stewart Glitter, Various colors 

Glitter Glue and Decoupage Glue and Sealer

Viva Decor Pearl Pen

Doodlebug Flock (black)

Distress Inks

 I-Rock & Jolee's Hot Fix Crystals in Red

Some embellies from my stash

3-D Crystal Lacquer

My entry for the Challenge is an extremely sparkly Halloween card. It was so messy and fun to create. A couple of years ago I saw a great card topper using glitter to create a gradient background in Cardmaker Magazine, and I used that as an inspiration for my card. I didn't follow the actual color gradient but the entire card topper is glittered. I would recommend if anyone wants to try this, run your cardstock through the Xyron. I was out of Xyron adhesive and used Martha Stewart Glitter glue, (very messy!) and then Martha Stewart Decoupage Glue and Sealer to seal the paper. I will list the colors by the names they have in Martha Stewart's Glitter set, and in parenthesis by what I call them. LOL! I started with a mix of peridot (green) and brownstone (brown) on the bottom, then a layer of onyx (black) into a layer of hematite (silvery black). The top layer is mostly lapis lazuli(blue) with a sprinkle of charoite (purple). As I layered the colors, I would leave a little glue uncovered so that I could sprinkle some of the next color before adding the full layer of color. I let it sit over night and once the glitter was dry, I brushed the sealer over the paper. The sealer also takes a very long time to dry, so if you try this, make sure you have lots of time to let it all dry. I tried to get a picture of the sparkle, but it doesn't show as well as I would have hoped.

Once it was dried, I adhered it to a 5.5 by 5.75 card. I designed the card on my Gypsy. The Headless Horseman, the headstone with the blackbird, and the two background jack o' lanterns from Happy Hauntings. The moon is the layer from the tombstone. I just cut it larger. I used Distress Inks to add some extra color on the moon. For a little extra sparkle, because this card just doesn't have ENOUGH sparkle, I used my I-Rock and Red Jolee's Hot fix Crystals on the corners.

The tree, center jack o' lantern and tombstone behind the Headless Horseman are all from October 31st.

I used Doodlebug Flock on the Headless Horseman. It's much thicker than the flock I am used to. It also caught some glitter from the paper. LOL! That's the glitter on the horse in the picture. I used a little Gold Stickles on the horse for his bridle.

I also cut two additional layers of the Headless Horseman in Green and Red for his cape and the grass. I used 3-D Crystal Lacquer on his head, the cape and also on the eyes and mouths of the jack o' lanterns.

Here is the inside of the card. The cat and phrase are both from Happy Hauntings. The paper is from Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland. I'm pretty sure the paper that I cut the Happy Halloween from is K&Company. I had the scraps on my desk, so I used them. I used some embellies I had in a small container for the corners.

This is my first Halloween card for the season. I love Halloween, so I am sure there will be more cards coming in the future! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen



World Cardmaking Day!

Michele Kovack at http://chelemom.blogspot.com/2011/10/wcmd-giveaway.html is having a great giveaway for today. She does the most wonderful work! If you aren't already following her, you should stop by her blog and see the beautiful creations she shares!

Happy World Cardmaking Day!

Colleen