Stick Pin Swap! The Results Post...

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters!
I love swaps! I haven't been doing many since our fabulous Yahoo Group disbanded, but recently I have been dipping my toes back into the swapping waters. There was a Stick Pin on the Circle boards hosted by the wonderful JJewel and it was a blast! Here is my contribution.

My name on the board is GoneScrappin', so my Cricut bug was going scrapping, or maybe card making.

Here's what 20 bug tags looks like!



Making the pins was much easier than I thought they would be. Of course mine aren't nearly as ornate as some that I received, but I have plenty of fabulous ideas for future pins and swaps! Here are the tags I received in the swap. They are all gorgeous little works of art! Boy, there are incredibly creative people on the Cricut Message Boards and I am very happy they are there! There were 3 groups, but I was only in Group 1. The next time I will make sure to join all the groups.


Momto2cuties

Close up of pins



Missie T.



Close up of pins

Nana Donna

Close up of pins



St. Kitt's Scrapper

Opened bag

Close up of pins

Scrapperbecka

Close up of pins

Caffinee



Close up of pins

ScrapCat



Close up of pins

Seisa

Misawasan



Close up of pins

Maile Lei

Maile Lei

Close up of pins

Rockin Renee



Close up of pins



TulipCollector



Close up of pins

Granny Anne



Close up of pins

Go Cricut Go

Close up of pins

JodieR

Close up of pins

Kimberly M.



Close up of pins



Bleeding Cricut Green

Close up of pins

Sis O'Snap

Close up of pins

The next set of pins were a direct swap between group 1 and Group 2 because we each had 1 drop out.

Frankenstein475 - Direct Swap Pins

And finally, JJewel's pins

JJewel

Close up of pins

A big thank you should also go out to HodMom for helping to mail our boxes. She was kind enough to put my tags in a smaller box to help save some of the shipping costs.

Jewel was an awesome hostess and kept the thread lively and fun. She also provided us with some great links for creating these stick pins. I really liked this video, so I am sharing it with you today. Maybe these will inspire you to try some pins out for yourself. Be forewarned, it is really fun and addicting!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Here, Kitty Kitty!

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters!

Today I am sharing this fun little project I created using the Cricut Craft Room. Any current members of the Cricut Circle who renewed for this year have been given access to all the Cricut Craft Room files for the month of August to try for free. I am taking the opportunity to cut many of the images they offer and hopefully I will be able create some fun projects with them. Even if you aren't a Circle Member, Provo Craft has been offering weekly trials of different files. You can check this week's freebies out here. When you log in to the CCR, it will show up under "My Cartridges".

As I started checking out the cuts I came across Movable Monsters and knew I had to try these out. I adore anything Halloween and on top of that, there's a cat! Can you tell I also adore anything feline related. LOL!
Putting it together took some figuring out, but lucky for me a Cricut Circle friend made a cool Mummy and the Skeleton, you have to check them out!  Rockin Renee  has a great blog with lots of fun challenges and tutorials. I based putting my cat together from her creations.

Materials:

CCR and Expression 2

CCR exclusive Movable Monsters

DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack Black (for cat), Silver (for nose and ears)

 and Green (for the collar)

Green cardstock from my stash for base

Small Brads

Pop Dots

Here is my little scary kitty creation.

OK, he's huge! I didn't think to pay close attention to how big it was going to be after assembled, but standing, it's about 9.5 inches from ears to feet! Putting it together was a snap. Since it was test cut, I used some bright green cardstock for the base layer. It worked well where the cat's eyes are concerned, but the next time, I think I will stick with black cardstock on everything but the head. I used pop dots on all the top layers on the cat and pierced the areas where I planned on putting the head, tail and legs.

Side view of leg with brad

Pierced and added brads on the green cardstock for the 1 back paw and one front paw

pierced and added brads through the top layer for the cats head, tail and other paws

 

Fully assembled



I love how he turned out! I can't wait to try the rest of the monsters real soon!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

Two Challenges - One Card

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! I have returned! Today I am sharing a card that is for a crafting friend of mine. I am entering this card in two challenges! This is a first for me! The challenges she is being entered in are at the Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge and this week's Tiddly Inks Challenge
.
Here are the details on the challenges:

Out of Character Challenge!

We love the new Exclusive Cricut Circle Out of Character Cartridge and we want you to take it and show us what you can do with it! You can create a layout, card, YuDu something with it…. basically just go crazy with it! Then, you can inspire us with your handiwork by posting it to the blog under the Magazine Challenge tab. As excited as we are about this challenge… we have decided to extend the deadline to July 29th and make the prize even bigger!

Cricut Circle Magazine Challenge Rules:

Please use at least 1 full Out of Character Image Cut including layers in your project. Create any kind of project you would like and upload a working link or picture of your project to the blog under the Magazine Challenge tab. Entry deadline is July 29th. If you use Cricut Craft Room design tool, save your file so if you win, we can share it with the Circle members! The winner of this challenge will receive $200.00 credit to Cricut.com and you can enter as many times as you want! Rev up your machines and get crafty!!

Tiddly Inks Challenge Rules:

It's a sketch challenge. The sketch is below:
Make sure we can tell you used the sketch but feel free to flip, distort, and add those embellishments! Make sure to use a Tiddly Ink image or your entry won't qualify!

I used one of my favorite Tiddly Inks Digi Stamps - Wryn Grow A Little Love. I colored her with copics. She is also now available in clear stamps at the Tiddly Inks Store! I used Glossy Accents and Coarse Glitter on the hearts Wryn is holding and her hair clip.

I followed the sketch but changed up the order of the 3 embellies and used a bow where the oval was. All the cuts on the card are from my Cricut.

I designed half of this in the CCR and the other half on my Gypsy.  The cut from Out Of Character is the sentiment, Enjoy. I really like this cart. The cuts are fun and can be used in so many different ways. I matted it with a cut from Ribbons and Rosettes and used Jolee's Crystals on the corners.

I cut six hearts from Cricut Alphabet and layered them using pop dots. Then I used Glossy Accents on them to add some extra shine. The frame is from Sophie, another Cricut Circle Cartridge. I cut it in white and used copics to color the flowers and frame. I added Glossy Accents and Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter to the flowers. I used Jolee's Crystals for the centers of the two yellow flowers and an Imaginisce Crystal for the larger pink flower's center. I glued Wryn to the center of the oval frame.  The paper inside the oval is from K & Company.

For the border, I used my Gypsy and a border from Ribbons and Rosettes. I used 2 borders, flipping one and welding them together. I used a piece of ribbon on the center of the border to give it some texture.

I kept the inside of the card simple. I used a Digi sentiment from Tiddly Inks and colored it with Copics, inked the edges with some Tim Holtz Distress Ink and added an extra heart for the finishing touch.

This card is long over due to be mailed. I wanted to make her a card a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunately, life got in the way. I think it turned out nice. It was fun to make and I hope she likes it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen

I Finally Created An Explosion Box!

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters! Are you beating the heat? It's another scorcher here in the Northeast, the temp today is a balmy 102 degrees! I won't even venture from the cool ac into the swimming pool! I ran out early to freshen the water in my birdbath and was done with the great outdoors for the day! It's the perfect day for some catching up on my blog and getting some crafting done.

Today I am sharing my very 1st Explosion Box. I saw a fabulous Explosion Box on my Circle friend Nadia's blog. If you want to see some amazing works of paper art, check out the link to her blog, With Glittering Eyes, and have a look around. She is a very talented Paper Artist. On her blog, she gave a link for instructions from another Circle Member and fabulous crafter Enfys' blog, Going Buggy. This is one more blog worth browsing. She does truly wonderful coloring with Promarkers and has great tutorials. 

We were having a 50th Birthday party for my BFF, Elaine and I already had the banner ready from Colleen's Birthday. The birthday banner has been traveling around to our parties and has now become a bit of a tradition for us to use it. LOL! For Each birthday, I have been making a new name section. I really wanted to create a special card for Elaine's 50th Birthday, so armed with a great tutorial and inspiration, I went to work.

Here are the details:

Cricut Anniversary E 2, Cuttlebug & CCR

Carts:

Creative Memories Be Young, Over the Hill & CCR Basics

Die Cut With A View Glitzy Glitter Stacks - Neutrals & Brights

CTMH Hooray Bouquet & Unity Stamps

Stickles & Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter

Pop Dots

Ribbons & Flowers From My Stash

Black & White Cardstock

American Crafts Metallic Cardstock

Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Embossing Folder

I made the mistake of adhering the AC Metallic Cardstock to my outside layer before making sure I was really going to like it. Turned out, I didn't like it at all, but unfortunately, I was out of heavy black cardstock, so I was stuck with it. Other than that, I think it turned out swell.

The Top
The stamp on the top is from CTMH Hooray Bouquet.

 That is the the inside layer. I tried like mad to make a Birthday cake, but couldn't get a nice round cake happening, so I went with a square cake. Since I had never made one and didn't have any tutorials for one, I just layered the sizes, ran them through my cuttlebug and added some ribbon and flowers.  It kind of looks a little like a wedding cake, though, doesn't it? I cut the acetate strips from a Cricut Cart Package and sandwiched them between balloon cuts to hold up the balloons. I got this idea from a link on Nadia's blog to Magic Boxes. The Explosion Boxes there are unbelievable!

Here is a close up of the cake.

I used the CCR to create all the embellishments for this whole project. I still can't see me ever giving up my Gypsy for the CCR, but due to a problem with the new Gypsy update and my E-2 not communicating well, I was almost forced to go with the CCR. The scalloped mats and circles are from the CCR Basics. The Happy Birthday is from Over The Hill and I cut her name using the Creative Memories Be Young Cart. The font is called Be Happy. The balloons and the number 50 are also from Over The Hill.

Here is the middle layer

The Birthday Cake is from Over The Hill and I added some Stickles to the flames. The flower is a left over from my Art Philosophy Roses I had made for an earlier project, The leaves are a Martha Stewart punch. The stamp is from Unity Stamps. The base of the layer is white so the picture looked funny to me! LOL!

I'm not sure why I didn't take a full picture of the bottom layer, but at least I managed to take some of the mats on it. I can't remember where I found the Friends Always saying, lol, and it's not showing in the CCR. That will teach me to wait a couple of weeks to post a project!

The 50 mats alternated

This mat had a personal message on it for my BFF.

So there you have it! My first try at an Explosion Box. I was so terrified to try making one, but now I am so happy I did. If you haven't tried one yet, jump in and do it! The results are beautiful and your friends or family will love to receive one. I know Elaine was just thrilled with hers. I placed a gift card inside it so I had a card and present box all wrapped up into one!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!

Keep cool and happy crafting!

Colleen



A Bridal Shower Card

Hi Friends and Fellow Crafters!
I have been neglecting my blog terribly this past month. June has been a whirlwind of activity here in our household. My son graduated, so there was so much to be done for our family get together. There were also many thank you cards to be made, a couple of banners, a 50th birthday party for one of my BFFs, and an end of school year party. Whew, it has been exhausting and fun! I will try to post all the projects in the next couple of weeks.
I always love seeing Bridal Shower cards and was so happy to be able to create one for one of my Mom's best girlfriend's Granddaughter. Boy, that was a mouthful! Her friend was telling me she was looking at Bridal Shower cards but couldn't find one that said granddaughter. I could tell she wanted to ask me to make one, but was unsure. She knows the craziness that goes on around here. I love her like an Aunt, so I just offered. I asked her what colors she wanted and she requested shades of browns, with peach or pink accents. She has been the recipient of many of my cards in the past, so she asked if I could make an easel card too. They are probably my favorites to create, so I was more than happy to accommodate her request.  For anyone who isn't familiar with how to make an easel card. Splitcoast Stampers has a great tutorial with a video.

Here is the final product:

I created this card with my Gyspy and Expression 2. Here are the details.

Carts Used:

Sweethearts - Bride

Wedding - Bells

Paper Lace2 - Card Topper Background

Tie The Knot - Umbrella

Art Philosophy - Roses

The other stuff:

Graphic 45 paper - Romance

Brown cardstock from my stash

Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter & Leaf Punch

Ranger Glossy Accents

Flower Soft - Sweet Pea

CuttleBug for Embossing

Cuttlebug Folders

Copic Markers

Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Assorted Pearls and Bling from my stash

I cut the bride and used copics to color her skin and hair. I embossed her dress using my Cuttlebug. I used some flower soft on her bouquet and added a little tulle to her veil. I used some pearls from my stash on her for embellishments.

I really like Paper Lace 2 for card backgrounds. My E-2 is great for cutting the intricate designs on this cart. I ran the shadow through my Cuttlebug and I also cut a smaller shadow for the base of the card.

I cut the flowers, bells and umbrella then used glossy accents to give them some shine. I also used some Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter on the Umbrella and the Roses.  I printed a sentiment on some cardstock from Paper Temptress and distress the edges of the paper with distress inks. 

Once I had decided the layout of the card, it came together pretty easy. I made a nice envelope for it, but forgot to get a picture. My Mom's girlfriend was very happy with it and was going to the shower this weekend. I know she was going to have a wonderful day.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Happy Crafting!

Colleen