Did you all see the DCWV booth at CHA?

Holy Moly! If you haven't seen it here it is. Don't forget to stop by Die Cuts With A View blog here

They are having a giveaway!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Love Is In The Air Blog Hop

Welcome to the Love is in the Air blog hop hosted by the very creative, Paulette from Around the Block with Scrapalette! You should have arrived here from the amazing Carolyn's blog. Didn't you just fall in love with her project! All the bloggers in today's hop are incredibly talented and I would hate if if you missed any of their crafts, so if you are just stopping by my blog today, you'll want to go back to  Around the Block with Scrapalette and start at the beginning of the hop. Plus, you can enter to win blog candy. Don't we just love candy! LOL!
Today's blog hop is all about love and Valentine's Day. Why not go and grab a beverage, sit back and enjoy some Valentine's Day sweetness without all the calories!

Here's the Blog List:

Paulette from http://scrapalette.blogspot.com/

Dana from http://danascraftycorner.blogspot.com/

Beth from http://thunderbirdlindybydesign.blogspot.com/

Sis from http://papercraftscissors.wordpress.com/

Doreen from http://polkadotpaperprincess.blogspot.com/

Cindy from http://www.inlovewithpaper.blogspot.com/

Deb from http://www.queenmommy.com/

Michele from http://www.michelegreen.com/

Carolyn from http://cccscraproom.blogspot.com/

Colleen from http://scrappycol.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth from http://www.217creations.com/
Sukie from http://www.scrappindhilly.blogspot.com/
Sharon from http://designsbysharon.blogspot.com/

Renee from http://icameisawicreated.blogspot.com/

Tammy from http://www.scrapcavecreations.com/

Brenda from http://happyscrapper64.blogspot.com/

Amy from http://scrap-pix.blogspot.com/

Jami from http://thepaperfarm.blogspot.com/

Terri from http://scrappinwiththebug.blogspot.com/

Meg from http://peacockpaperie.blogspot.com

My project is inspired by a walk around Michael's a couple of weeks ago. I saw all the Valentine decorations on the shelves and just had to browse them for ideas. There was a small Heart Topiary with some berries on it that I really liked. I thought, I could make something similar to that for my home. Since I am still on my self imposed spending ban and participating in the Using My Stash challenge, I went straight home with only some adhesives and got to work on my own Heart Topiary.

Here are the details:

Circut Anniversary E-2

Cartridges used - Love Struck and

CTMH Art Philosophy

Distress Inks - Tattered Rose,Victorian Velvet, Barn Door,

Worn Lipstick, Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold

and Festive Berries

Clay Pot, Dowel and Styrofoam

White Acrylic Paint, Crackle Medium and Gloss Gel Medium

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pink Ice

Martha Stewart Glitter - Garnet

Scotch Quick Dry Glue

Hot Glue Gun

Ribbon and Red Raffia

And finally, lots of patience!

I created my project using the Circut Craft Room. I wanted a heart that was open, yet simple in design. I couldn't find any on my cartridges, so I used a heart from Love Struck, then copied it and sized it to fit into the center. The smaller heart would act as a cut out. This gave me the heart base for my topiary which is 6.18 x 5.8 in size. I didn't want to make it too big as the only clay pot I had here was 4 inches.

Here's how it looked cut out on the mat.

Here they are off the mat with the center removed. Yes that was a cover for a DCWV paper stack. LOL! Told you I was using my stash.

.

I was going to cut paper to cover the hearts, then decided to run them through the Xyron machine and glitter them. I used Martha Stewart Glitter in Garnet. I sealed the hearts with Gloss Gel. This is how they turned out.

I hot glued a dowel I painted white to them, then hot glued them together.

For the flowers I used the Rose from Art Philosophy. If you don't already own this cartridge, you have to get it! It has everything you need to create the most beautiful projects, pages and cards. My wonderful crafting girlfriend Belinda is a Close To My Heart Representative and can order it for you. I started with roses sized at 2 inches. I used two 12 x 12 papers in cream and pink. The roses looked like this in the Cricut Craft Room.

Here they are cut.

I inked all the roses in the various Tim Holtz colors listed above, then started gluing and rolling them up.

After I was done with the first 25 roses, I realized that they were much smaller than I was anticipating and decided to cut more roses at 2.5 inches.

All totaled, I cut, inked and rolled about 100 roses. Here are some of them as I was working on them.

Using a quilling tool, I started out rolling them very tight. Then I decided to try making them a little more loose and just used my fingers to roll them.. Here are some examples of the roses. They are rolled in this order, tightest, medium tightness and loose. I used a pin to work the center of the rose to my preference.

Once I had all my roses cut, I placed them on the base to get a feel for how I wanted to position them. Once I had an idea of what I liked, I began hot gluing them to the hearts. The first side went nicely. About half way through hot gluing roses on the other side of the heart, I realized I hadn't cut enough roses and had to cut another sheet of 2 inch roses! Once they were inked and ready to go, I was able to finish the heart. This is what it looked like.

I took a clay pot that was hanging around here for ages, and painted it white. I used some crackle medium to add some interest to it. I sprayed Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Ice Pink on it to bring out the cracks and give it color. I coated it with the gloss gel to seal the Glimmer Mist. I like the effect of the Glimmer Mist with the crackle medium. Cool, right?

To finish the Topiary, I used some Styrofoam to attach the dowel and then added the Red Raffia. I hot glued a bow to each side, and declared this one FINISHED!

This Topiary took a few days to make, but in the end, it was worth it. I hope you are inspired to try one for yourself.

Now for some blog candy! If you want to make a Topiary like this, you might need some supplies. I am giving away a $10.00 gift card to Michael's or AC Moore, your choice. You don't need to be a follower, but please leave a comment and a way for me to contact you to be entered in the drawing. I will choose a name using Random.Org on Tuesday morning. If you are visiting from the Cricut Boards and don't want to leave your email, let me know you MB name and if your name is chosen, I can PM you for your details.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you enjoy the rest of the blog hop. Your next stop on the hop is the very talented Elizabeth at 217 Creations. I know a fabulous project awaits you there! You are going to love her blog, it's one of my favorites!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Coming Soon!

Hope you can jon us for some Valentine's Day fun!

My first Cricut Craft Room Project!

Hi friends and fellow crafters!
I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! I am attempting to re-organize my craft room as part of my New Year's resolution to become better organized. Now that my two soaps are gone, (yes, I watched All My Children and One Life To Live) I now have an extra 10 hours a week to get it done!
Thursday afternoon I was cleaning out my paper shelves, and I came across my wireless adapter that I ordered quite some time ago for my Cricut Expression 2. Being of short attention span, I quickly forgot about the papers I was trying to organize and went about the business of seeing if I could get my wireless to cut something using the Cricut Craft Room. I placed it in the machine, couldn't get it to work, called Comcast, our Internet provider, who having no clue what I was asking about, told me to call Provo Craft. So I did, and a rep told me she didn't think the adapter was compatible with the WEP channel I was using on my router. So I did the only thing I could do, I messed with the router settings. Naturally, I had disastrous results. I ended up losing my lap top's connection. Again, I did the only thing I could do, I attempted to fix it. LOL! Not a good idea. I spent 5 hours trying to get my connections re-established. I call NetGear only to find that my router is 1 year old, so no longer covered by any warranty, but I can get the Gear Head service.....for a price. Yeah, for $89.95 I could get unlimited assistance with my router and other computer problems. I could have paid $39.95 for a 1 time issue fee, or $69.95 for 6 months worth if assistance, nah, I took the 1 year option because I can say with much certainty, I will be calling them again. LOL! After spending about an hour on the phone with the Gear Heads, my Internet was running again and he explained that the adapter would work just fine with the router. He did admit that he wasn't sure what a Cricut was, but he thought he could get it to work. LOL! It was late, and my son was getting tired of sharing me with the computer, so I said I would call back in the morning. Friday morning, I went to my Expression to see if it would connect, and it did! I didn't have to call the Gear Heads, it was a happy moment in my craft room! I didn't have the chance to use the Cricut Craft Room, but yesterday, I finally created something.
Anyone who follows Tim Holtz knows that he was giving previews of his new products for the Winter CHA this week. I am still on my spending ban and I knew I shouldn't even look, but I did. I love his products enough to test torture myself! I was OK, until I saw his On The Edge Sewing Die This is my type of die-cut. I was motivated to see if I could create a version of it using the Cricut Craft Room, and went to work on it.
I used several carts to create my version. Art Nouveau for the base, which can be welded to a page later. The scissors are from Cricut Everyday, the spool is from Country Life, the buttons are from Paisley and Wild Card. I couldn't find a bobbin, so I used a circle from Country Life, copied it, then re-sized the copy and copied that 4 more times to make the holes in the bobbin. Clear as mud, right? Here's how it looked in the CCR. The two colors are actually layers that cut as different mats.

Here's how it cut.

 Below is my rough draft, I was just messing around with the pieces to get an idea of how they would look.

I went with a real button to see if I would like it. The jury is still out on a real button. I think it's just the button I used, it was a reject from a layout and laying on my table, so I grabbed it.
I was so pleased with my version of Tim Holtz's Die Cut. I want to tweak the spool of thread, but for now I will keep this one. I have been wanting to make a mini book about crafting and this will be included.
One problem I did encounter is that when I originally tried cutting it, I couldn't establish a good connection between the CCR and my machine, I realize now it was because I didn't have a cartridge in the machine. silly me! Well, I figured I would cut it as a Gypsy file, and imported it to my Gypsy, but when I opened the file, nothing was welded and the design was all over the place. I don't know if I missed something in the save, or if it's a glitch. I'll try another file and see what happens. If anyone knows why this occurred, let me know. I'd be very grateful!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch - Paper...

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! I hope everyone has been enjoying the possibilities the New Year is bringing to us all! We have started to take down our Christmas decorations and that has made me feel kind of sad. Our front yard is now a wasteland. No more lighted deer or spiral trees, no little white ducks, no gigantic snow globes, soldiers or Snoopy santas (yes, I like the blow up decorations and I won't apologize for the pure joy they bring me! Ha-ha!) no colored lights on the bushes and porch. It's a sad sight. I needed a pick me up and quick! I was rummaging through my scrapbook papers, which always makes me happy, and found some paper from when I first started scrapbooking. I can still remember picking it up in AC Moore and knowing that I had to have it. I took it home, couldn't figure out what to do with it, and sent it to the wasteland that is my paper stash. It hasn't been seen since November of 2007. Until yesterday. I love all things Dr. Seuss, and the Grinch is by far my favorite. I think what happened to this poor piece of EK Success love was, being so new to scrapbooking, I had no clue what to do with this paper. It wasn't a solid color, it wasn't even a print, it was a paper with a theme design. I still am not sure how to describe these papers. LOL! I know, I was clueless on how to design with it. You know these papers, the ones that have quotes or designs, like my Grinch paper. I've picked up papers like this before and then stored them all away. I must have found 10 different papers like this in just one paper pile, oops, I mean stack. I then decided that I had to use the paper, and issued a challenge to my fellow Using My Stash thread members. Create something from your stash using a paper or even an embellishment that you have had since, well, forever! So I set the Grinch on my table and looked at him. I took some lights down from my windows and looked at him. I them turned to my little curio cabinet and a light bulb appeared over my head. I should use the paper to showcase my collection of Grinches. I have bigger pieces around for Christmas, but most of my favorites are ornaments my beloved Aunt Dorothy gave me very year starting in 1997 until she passed away in 2009. My DH has picked up where she left off, and gets me something Grinch related now. My sweetie...

I took a few pictures, printed out the one I liked, and left it next to the paper. I looked at it, and walked away. I was still befuddled as to how to use the paper! Four and a half years into paper crafting and I was drawing a blank on it. LOL! Then my son did something that I was too blind to consider, he dropped a bling star on the corner of the paper and walked away. This time I stayed and started the page. Everything is from my stash. The cardstock is Recollections. The ribbon at the bottom of the page is from Prima. I picked it up on clearance in Michael's a couple of years ago. I used my Martha Stewart Snowflake Punches create  the picture border. I added some bling from my stash to the snowflakes. I still have issue using these punches. I always end up having spaces and gaps on the sides. I covered up on gap with a Grinch I had printed out from Michael's The Knack last year. I colored him with copics. I used some Crinkled ribbon that I got from scrapinkris on etsy to anchor the Grinch down and cover the unfinished bottom. Kris is one of the DT members for the Cricut Blogs and her Crinkled Ribbons are gorgeous. I was glad I ordered them before my spending ban. LOL! I was surprised at how much a difference the ribbon made. See the pics below:

Grinch with the ribbon anchor

Grinch without the ribbon anchor

I also used the Crinkled ribbon to make a bow, then I cut a heart tag from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More to use as a journaling tag. I attached it with a link from 7 Gypsies. I used my Sophie Cartridge to make the doilies that I used to embellish the bottom of the page. The green swirls are brad that I have also had since 2007. They came from QVC, back in the day when QVC still had scrapbooking shows.

I used Distress Ink on the cuts, then added some Ice Stickles to the edges. I also added a little sparkle to the Grinch that is part of the page with the Ice Stickles. Finally, I added two more stars to the one my son dropped on the paper that started the layout.

Considering I really had no idea what to do with the paper for over 4 years, I think the layout turned out ok.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Why not dig through your old papers and create something too!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Weekly Challenge #48: Creative Resolutions for 2012 Challenge!

Weekly Challenge!

Every other week join us for “Challenge Friday” where we will announce a new creative challenge. We want you to feel inspired to use your supplies in new ways. Have fun with it! Check back often to see the beautiful entries from your Circle Friends . . . you are sure to leave with a desire to get cutting!

Weekly Challenge #48: Creative Resolutions for 2012 Challenge!

The Challenge: Whenever the New Year rolls around, we tend to do a little self-evaluation and decide what we want to do differently in the year to come. For the challenge this week, we want you to think about your CREATIVE resolutions and record them in some way. Do you want to stretch your creativity in new ways? Maybe you want to try a new hobby or learn something new. Maybe you want to simplify. Whatever it is, get those goals down on paper! Jennifer Yates has a sample of her project below.

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, January 5th, 2012.

Prize: We will select one winner 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 and will be announced on the Cricut Circle Blog on Friday, January 5th, 2012.

Hi friends and fellow crafters! I decided last minute to enter the weekly challenge at the Circle Blog this week. I have a few crafty resolutions and one of them is to enter the blog challenges as often as I can. I would also like to try to get a project published in one of the many magazines I subscribe to. I think that would be a blast! My biggest resolution is to Use My Stash! I have waaaay too much stuff.  I created this 12x12 scrapbook page in honor of the first round of Using My Stash 2012 thread at the Circle. I participated in two rounds last year and loved it. It kept me within a budget and I found I was very inspired by my fellow participants. When January 1st came around, we decided to start a new round and have some very talented crafters enjoying creating great projects with our stash.

All the paper is from K&Company. I have had this stack for so long, that the cover fell off, so I don't even know what line it's from! LOL!

I used my Gypsy to design the page, The letters are from Kate's ABCs, the copic marker, scissors, glitter bottle and the fun phrase on the picture are from Cricut Everyday. The heart mat is from Elegant Edges. The journaling mat is from Paper Trimmings.

I'm sorry about the blurry picture, my camera was not co-operating this evening. I just had to point out that Paper Hoarder phrase. It is so me!

I love the little copic marker! I have many of them in my stash and enjoy using them as much as I can!

I am thinking I might want to make a couple of more resolution pages since this one was so much fun! Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my Friends and fellow Crafters! I can't believe a whole month has gone by since my last post. I was so busy enjoying the holiday season and didn't want to  pressure myself this year, that my poor blog was neglected. We had a wonderful Christmas here in NJ and I hope everyone had the happiest, healthiest holidays where you are too! I was crafting when I wasn't doing the decorating, cleaning, cooking, baking, chauffeuring, and the shopping, so I am going to share some of this seasons newest creations that I have been working on this week and over the weekend.
Here are my Lili Of The Valley cards:

Here's another Lili Of the Valley, how I love these stamps!

And finally, one of my favorites. I used the Cricut New Testament cartridge and my Imagine for the sentiments. This is a wonderful cartridge.

I also used my Imagine and Santa's Village for a couple of cards.

How cute is this snowman? How about those mats? I finally picked up some Bazzill Basics Dotted Swiss paper. I found it on clearance in Michael's for $6.00 in December. Nice! I used the new Cricut Circle Cartridge Paper Trimmings for the mats.

I'm pretty sure the mat is from Elegant Edges, I ran it through the vagabond using a Tim Holtz folder.
I am proud that I used only items from my stash and I kept the designs similar so that I was able to create more cards than I usually do.

I have a couple of resolutions for my crafting along with my personal resolutions. I hope to use more of what I have and spend less on supplies that I already own. I still have a couple of pieces of the K&Company Berry Sweet stack that I need to use up. I broke my resolve to not buy paper until I had used that stack all up, but considering I started my challenge in March and didn't buy any paper until December, that's not too bad. Another resolution? I want to get my craft room organized. It was cleaned over the holiday, so it went from this:

To this:

Notice the stack of paper on the table? All Christmas paper....I didn't buy any paper this year until the day when Michael's had the $7.99 stack sale. I only bought a package of paper, so I managed some sort of self-restraint. LOL! Inside the box under that stack? More paper and a bunch of stickers, rub-ons, and other assorted Christmas embellies. As part of my crafting resolutions, I would like to make a couple of Christmas cards and layouts during this year and use some of it up. Finally, I am also resolving to finish projects that have been started and abandoned.

Thanks for the wonderful comments I have received over this past year and for stopping by my blog! I pray we all have a wonderful year of good health, happiness, prosperity, and lots of  laughter! May all our trials be light and our homes filled with good times!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen