Fantabulous Cricut #175: Heat Wave

Chillax!!!

That's my mantra for today.  It's gloomy outside, I have a ton of things to do, and I have a headache. So I'm telling myself to just "Chillax".

The theme this week over at Fantabulous Cricut is Heat Wave.  When I think of summer heat, I think of the ocean, and when I think of the ocean, I picture shells and crabs.  And what better way to represent a heat wave then with this adorable "cool crab"?

I started out with a BIG card base (kraft cardstock: Recollections).  It measures 7.5" x 5.5" folded.  I cut some of the blue Cricut cardstock for a mat at 1/8" smaller and then the top piece of kraft cardstock at 1/4" smaller.

For the elements on the card, I used the Cricut Craft Room and set up the images like this:

Cartridges used:  Cricut Craft Room Basics (letters); Just Because Cards (sun); Create A Critter (crab); Paper Dolls for Every Day (sunglasses).

I used Cricut cardstock (I love the way this cardstock cuts!) and planned where each image would be so I didn't waste any of the cardstock.

I tossed the "dots" for the "i" and used Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest) to add my customary bling.  I inked the crab and sun to add a little dimension and added a little white highlight with a gel pen on the sunglasses.  I popped the center of the sun up on some dimensional foam and added an Action Wobble to the crab for a little "jiggle".  His cheesy grin was hand drawn.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and are a little inspired to do some chillaxin' of your own.  Now pop on over to Fantabulous Cricut and see what the other DT members have to show you.  And, please, feel free to play along.  The more, the merrier!!!

Presenting.......

Vinyl Education Week

During the month of September, FCCB will be featuring Vinyl University and some wonderful vinyl projects and education.  For more information, check this out:

Order your vinyl now with a special discount code.  Click the link above to get more information and your special code!  We are looking forward to this fun, educational, inspirational challenge!  Hope to see you there!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Supplies used:  Cricut Cartridges (Cricut Craft Room Basics, Just Because Cards, Create A Critter, Paper Dolls for Every Day), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Action Wobbles, Ink (Stampin' Up!), Gel Pen, Cricut Expression 2, Cricut Craft Room

PCCCS #55

A Little Old, A Little New....Perfect Blend

I'm playing along today with the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch challenge.  They have some really great card sketches and I've enjoyed the inspiration they've provided for me to get some cards done!  Here is the sketch:

PCCCS #55

I really like doing square cards.  And I'm always in need of thank you's, so here is what I put together:

For some reason this looks yellow and purple, but IRL it is yellow and deep red (color of sentiment)/

I love the color combination.  It's kind of between summer and fall.  I used Riding Hood Red  and Summer Sun papers and inks from Stampin' Up!  They are the "old".  The sentiment is from the SU! Artfully Asian set.  The "new" are the flowers (on the background and the main image) which are from the SU! Simply Soft set. I also used the oval and corner punches from SU!.  The ribbon and button were from my leftover stash and the bling is provided via the Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest).

Here are a couple of close-ups so you can see the very subtle background stamping and the highlights on the flowers.

So that's it for today.  Hope you enjoyed your visit here!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Glitter Swirl from The Robins Nest and Craft Room Updates

Lots to Share Today!

Oh boy, have I been busy!  Those of you who are regular readers of my posts know how often I update, rearrange and reorganize my craft space (newbies can see my posts here). Well...whoops I did it again!  I had some rebates to use so I bought myself a new desk chair (bye-bye backaches!), a couple more cube units, and a computer desk (no more board-on-a-ledge!).  And with all that new stuff came the rearranging bug.  Out with the hutch (which I liked but was not really practical and didn't provide very much storage for it's size) and so-long to the short bookcase.  I have to say I'm loving the new look and feel.  It's bright (thanks to the ugly lights my hubby rigged for me) and clean and cheerful.  Here is one of my goofy little videos giving you a quick view of my updated digs:

And since my room is again my happy place, I have been feeling very creative...which is good since I have a LOT of projects to get done.  Besides the Design Team commitments (The Robins Nest and Fantabulous Cricut), I have several things I am working on for my niece's wedding on September 14th.  They are all projects of love though, so I am happy to be busy!

I have two cards to share with you today using the gorgeous glittery Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock from The Robins Nest.  

For this B&W card, I started with a base of 6.25" x 8" and scored at 4".  For the topper, I cut the glitter swirl cardstock using a template from HOTP.  I adhered the topper on some black cardstock and cut around the shape to create a mat.  I wrapped some black ribbon around the topper and attached that piece to the card base.  I tied a bow and attached that to the ribbon with a glue dot.  I stamped and embossed the sentiment, then added a few pearls and a couple of Dazzles in the corners.

Supplies Used:  Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock (The Robin's Nest); White Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest); Black and white cardstock (Recollections); Design Tool #1 (HOTP); Stamp: Heard from the Heart (Stampin' Up!); Dazzles (HOTP); Versamark ink; Black embossing powder (Stampin' Up!), Ribbon (Unknown)

This pink card features the Pink Glitter Swirl cardstock.  I used a card sketch from Operation Write Home as my layout inspiration.  I started with a 5.5" x 8" base, scored at 4.25".  I cut the glitter cardstock to 3" x 5.5" and adhered that to the card base. I added some Dazzles strips to the top and bottom of that layer.  I added a .75" x 5.5" strip of black cardstock to the glitter layer.  I then cut a piece of pink cardstock at 2" x 3.75", distressed and inked the edges, and adhered that to the card.  I used a feather butterfly and added some Dew Drops for accents.  I added a few more Dew Drops to the black strip.

Supplies Used:  Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock (The Robin's Nest); Pink Dew Drops and Pink Tear Shaped Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest); Black and pink cardstock (Recollections), Feather Butterfly (Unknown)

I hope I didn't overwhelm you today with all my ramblings.  Glad you could join me!  And before I go, here is a quick pic of one of my little helpers, Mimi.  I have 7 dogs, but this one seems to be in here whenever I am. So she got the photo!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

PCCS #54

Happy Halloween!

PCCS #54

No, I haven't (totally) lost my mind.  I know it's only August.  But this sketch challenge at PCCS (Paper Craft Crew). for some reason, brought Halloween to my mind.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that all the stores are starting to show hints of Halloween displays.  I mean, really! Already!

I started out with some SU! cardstock for my base.  I then cut my shapes using the oval and scallop dies from Spellbinders.  Using the Spooky Skyline SU! wheel, I inked it with Archival Graphite Black ink and rolled it onto the lighter cardstock.  I then stamped Happy Halloween and the bat from Halloween Backgrounds.  I stamped my card base with the moon and stars stamp from Halloween Backgrounds using Pumpkin Pie ink.  The adhesive ribbon was attached and the layers put on top of that.  I added a couple of Recollections gems to give it a little bling.

Well, that's one card down for Halloween.  Guess I'll start making some Thanksgiving cards next! lol

Thanks for checking out my blog today!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Supplies Used:

• Stampin Up Cardstock, Ink and Stamps
• Recollections Gems
• Archival Ink
• Recollections Lace Ribbon

FCCB: Vinyl University

Vinyl University with Fantabulous Cricut

Have you heard about Vinyl University?




Coming to Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog September 9-14. Vinyl University is a week of vinyl education. Each day that week there will be tips about cutting and using vinyl on your projects. For that week's challenge, you will need to use vinyl cuts on your projects.

                                                        

We have a wonderful sponsor for the week Cricket Vinyl Supplies.com and they were so nice to give the DT members some vinyl to play with and offer you a discount to get you started. Just use the following code to order your vinyl in preparation for the challenge.

15% Discount Code: fantabulous

*****If we get 100 participants in this challenge our sponsor will be giving away a Cricut machine. I hope you will think about joining in. There can only be one entry per person and no backlinking (projects must be posted to your blog September 9th or after)

If you are as excited as we are at Fantabulous Cricut head over there to grab the blog button and start thinking about your vinyl projects.

FCCB Challenge #173: Cool Treats

No Sour Faces Here!

FCCB Challenge #173: Cool Treats

This week's challenge was to use a "cool treat".  While most of you may be thinking popsicles and ice cream, I had something else in mind.....Lemonade!  And since I prefer mine a little on the sweet side (just like me, lol), I won't be making any of those fish-lipped, pucker-puss faces. Smiles!!!  Here's my card:

Doesn't that just make you want to grab a big ol' glassful and head out to the veranda and sit on the porch swing and sip?  (I know, a lot of "and's")

I started out with a kraft cardstock base of 4" x 6" and cut another layer at 3-7/8" x 5-7/8".  That layer was run through the Cuttlebug with an embossing folder and inked with some distress ink.  I wrapped a scrap piece of ribbon around it and mounted it to the card base with some foam tape.

I then cut the diecut label using a template from Hot Off the Press, inked it with distress ink, and cut a matting piece from Cricut cardstock.  The lettering on the tag was done by hand.

Now, for the highlights....I used the Just Because Cards cartridge to cut my sentiment and my glass of lemonade using Cricut cardstock and a scrap piece of acetate (for the glass).  You can see from the photo how I laid out my pieces on my mat and the approximately sizes.  And since I only had to use a couple of colors, it was really economical also.

I ran the "glass" through the Cuttlebug with a swirly embossing folder to give it some detail.  All the elements were then adhered together and layered on top of the card.  And, of course, I had to add a little bling.

For the inside of my card, I got to try something I've never done before, and I was amazed at how totally easy it was!  I got to try the Cri-Kits Magnetic Holder for gel pens.  I had never used my Cricut to draw with before (at least that I can remember....) and this was just so darn simple.  I opened the package, loaded a gel pen into the holder, and placed the holder in my Cricut.  THAT'S IT!!! and here is how it turned out:

I made up this sentiment for a select group of people I hang around with.  Not that we're lushes or anything, but we've been known to polish off a few Yucca Bowls on our camping nights.  What is Yucca you ask?  Well, let me share the recipe.  You take a BIG bowl with a lid.  You get a mess of lemons and a crap-load of sugar.  You hand everyone a lemon to "knead" (in other words, mush it around until the guts are squishy).  Then you bust them up and put them in the bowl.  Add a bottle of vodka and a mess of sugar (to taste) and a bunch of ice.  Slap on the lid and pass it from person to person to gently shake the bowl until they want to pass it to the next person.  The slushing sound it makes is very relaxing.  Really.  Then, after it's been shaken for a while (you may want to wrap it in a towel cuz it will get really frosty), you rip off the lid and give everybody a straw to go at it.  Ok, so we all like each other in my group so we all just keep our straws and take a big ol glug whenever we want to, but if you might not want to share your "stuff" with everyone, you can always ladle it out into individual cups.  Frankly, I like the camaraderie we have with our straws, but to each his/her own! lol

Anyhow, back to the Cri-Kit pens...here is a closeup.  These glittery gel-pens are quite the awesome!  I set the speed to 2 and the cut to two cuts since I wanted to be sure I got good pen coverage.  It worked perfectly!

Hope you are inspired to head on over to FCCB and play along with our Challenge Me Monday. Need more inspiration?  No worries. You will find plenty from the Design Team.  Go! Now! Enjoy!

Supplies Used:

-- Just Because Cards Cartridge (Cricut)
-- Magnet Pen Holder and Glittery Gel Pens (Cri-Kits)

-- Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)

-- Colored Cardstock (Cricut)

-- Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Weathered Wood (Ranger)

-- Ribbon, Acetate, Gems (from my stash)

A special thank you to Cri-Kits for giving me the opportunity to try out your great products!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

The Robin's Nest Classic Glitter Swirl

It's the Glitteriest!!

I am talking about the awesome Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock from The Robin's Nest. As someone who always adds some bling to her creations, I am naturally in love with this cardstock.  Photos just don't do it justice.  Trust me.  It's glittery.

And since that is the cardstock that is being featured all month, I am so happy to be able to use it in my project.  Here is the card I designed.

I used a 4x6 inch card base and add the Classic Swirl Cardstock for my matting layer.  I stamped and embossed the image on pink cardstock, and mounted it on a black layer.  I then used Versamark on the edges and used some Zing embossing powder, heat set, and mounted that on a larger piece of pink cardstock matted with black.  I colored in the flowers with markers and added a tiny tag with the sentiment "merci". 

Before mounting that on my card, I added some black satin ribbon. You can see where I tucked in a knot of the ribbon to add some dimension.  I added some Dew Drops and Dazzles and voila!  A blingy, classy, twinkly thank-you card is born.

For the inside of the card, I added the same Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock and pink cardstock mounted with a black mat.  I used some rub-ons to complete the sentiment.

I hope you enjoyed my card.  Wouldn't you love some of that glittery goodness for your own stash?  

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Supplies used:

• Pink Classic Glitter Swirl cardstock (The Robin's Nest)
• Hot Pink Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest)
• Pink and Black cardstock (Recollections)
• Artful Collection Stamps (Hot Off The Press)
• Dazzles (Hot Off The Press)
• Rub-ons (7 Gypsies)
• Markers (Stampin' Up!)
• Pink Glitter Embossing Powder (Zing)
• Black Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!)
• Versamark Ink
• Tag from tiny Tags & Little Labels Template (Hot Off The Press)

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown: August Sketch Challenge

A Christmas Quickie! (Not that kind!)

What I mean is a quick Christmas project!  I am playing along with the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown August Sketch Challenge and, rather than doing a card this time, I chose to do a tag...A BIG one. Here's the sketch:

And here is my tag:

 I used some cute little buttons I had in my stash along with some washi tape and ribbon.  I hand-drew "seasons" and the faux stitching.

One tag down for Christmas.......a bazillion more to go! lol

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Deconstructed Sketch #112

Ice Cream Sherbet Colors

I am playing along with another of the Deconstructing Jen challenges since I made some time to play in my craft room. Here is the sketch:

As I was going through my paper stash to see what "spoke" to me, I came across some gorgeous papers from Club Scrap's Painted Desert kit from way back when.  These papers are so creamy and gorgeous that I was afraid to use them.  I didn't want to waste them.  They were too beautiful to cut.  Do you ever have that problem?  I made myself "get over it" because these papers didn't just "speak" to me, they "screamed"!!!

So with the sketch in site and my papers in hand, cut I did.  And I'm so happy I did, because this card turned out lovely.

Deconstructed Sketch #112

The colors remind me of ice cream sherbet.  The subtle pattern on the paper is striking and the laser-cut die makes a beautiful frame for the silk flower.  Look at that amazing detail!

Well, that's it for me for now.  Going to play a little more in my craft room while the sun still shines (I love crafting by natural light!).

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

Supplies used:

• Cardstock and Sentiment: Club Scrap
• Bitty Blossom: Bazzill
• Laser-cut Diecut:  Gina's Designs
• Dew Drops: The Robin's Nest
• Chalk Ink: ColorBox
• Button and Ribbon from my stash

CRAFT ROOM UPDATE!!

60% off + 20% off coupon = GREAT DEAL!!!

I got the deal of the year yesterday.  No, really.  It was awesome!!  Check it out!

Is this cart not to die for?  I have been coveting it for quite some time, but refused....absolutely refused...to pay $100 for it.  Since I have two cutting machines (Silhouette and Cricut), I was constantly swapping them around to use them.  Didn't really have an ideal layout for them.  My Cricut sat on a cart, which you can see in a previous post here.  My poor Silhouette sat on the bookcase next to my desk.  Whenever I wanted to use it, I had to find a spot and hook it up.  

But, now, I have both my cutters so easy to access.  Plus ALL the supplies for them are stored right there with them, and oh so neatly.  Look:

And the best part (well, one of the best parts) is that I still have lots of room for expansion.  And all I have to do to use either cutter is roll it next to my computer and plug in the USB cable.  One cable works for either machine. Awesome!  

Another great feature is that there is no back to the unit where the machines sit.  So there is no issue with the carrier mat being pulled back and forth through the cutter while in use.  I love that!

So when I saw that Michael's had these gems (plus other styles) for 60% off yesterday, PLUS I had a 20% coupon that was good on sale items, I scored this fantastic find for $25!!!  Yup....$25.  I am one happy crafter!!!

If you actually clicked the link above to see the old cart, you would have seen what my craft room looked like then.  As always with me, my craft space is an ever evolving work in progress.  It has been moved, switched and updated since then.  (Here's another chance to look back there.) Here are a couple of pics of what it looks like today:

Looking into the Room: Shelves and cubbies and storage, oh my!

Panning to the right: Expandable craft table and computer area, plus lots of storage

More storage and my awesome cart

Cutter cart plus paper storage

Closet, frame projects I'm working on, ribbon and filing cabinets

Back to the door

I love this table.  Folds down to one skinny table and opens to a huge one!

My favorite spot.  All my favorite crafty stuff within grabbing distance!

So glad I got to share (again) a little piece of my world.  Hope you enjoyed!!!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!