Trick or Treat

In Cricut's October Mystery box, I received three Cuttlebug flower plates.  I decide to use the rosette plates to create these embellishments on the last set of treat bags I am making this year.

I also added a 1" bar pin to the back of the rosettes so that the recipient could wear them on Halloween.

Halloween Pumpkin Goodie Bags

Now these tray bags were the easiest of all to make.  The pumpkin bags were purchased and then I used my Cricut explore to make the stems with the sentiment attached to close them up!  Made 48 in no time at all!

Halloween Shoe and Hair Clips

Making more goodies to hand out. Today, I worked on shoe and hair clips.  The shoe clips were a make it now project from Cricut Design Space and I added my choice for a hair clip.  I also added coordinating tags to clip them to for "treating".

For the base material, I used chalkboard fabric.  It cut perfectly and easily using the deep cut blade and custom setting for faux leather.  The pom poms for the bats were 1 1/2" and for the spider I used 1".  Once cut, I painted each with black glitter glue.  I used 1" small oval alligator clips to attach the bats and spiders to using hot glue.  

Last, I cut and edged my tags and added the clips for gift giving.  

Here is my Design Space file to recreate:



https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/32667602

Popcorn Treat Sleeves

I made these quick and easy popcorn treat sleeves to hand out to some of my "ghoulfriends".  ;)

They house mini Halloween microwave popcorn bags.

Of course, I had to do it AG style and added her ghost from a cut and emboss set and some of her washi tape.

Here is the Design Space file if you would like to make one:
https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/32636619

I did add a different ghost since the one I used was a cut and emboss diecut set.

Anna Griffin "SPOOKY" Banner

I just love Halloween, but I never seem to find all the time to create all the projects in my head!  Here is a banner I created using Anna Griffin's new Endora collection.  It's vintage and shabby, yet sparkly and new.

Here is the Design Space file for easy recreation:  https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/32533002

And I hope your Halloween is spooktacular!

Bath & Body Works Halloween Candle Makeover

I don't know about you, but I have an obsession with candles.  Particularly, Bath & Body Works candles.  They are all so yummy smelling!  One thing I love about BBW candles, is the quality glassware they use to house their candles.  The labels can easily be removed to repurpose the jars and make something new.  For this makeover, I simply removed the labels and added some Cricut artwork to make them into Halloween decor.

The 3-wick candle already looked like candy corn.  I simply added a coordinating image.  Isn't she cute?  For the mini-candle, I turned it into a pumpkin and added a battery operated tealight (I had already used up the candle).  Both images are from the Cricut cartridge Mini Monsters and I used vinyl for the artwork.

Mannequin Makeover - Ribbon Organizer

Here she is...all filled with ribbon!  See previous post for details on how you can make one too.

The mannequin is 4 1/2 feet tall.

Anna Griffin Mannequin Makeover

I have been searching and searching for a way to organize and store my ribbon and I think I finally found it!

I found an old wire mannequin at a local furniture resale store just waiting to be loved.

Eventually, I am going to "Annatize" my entire craftroom, but thought this would make a perfect addition.  I first spray painted the mannequin with Krylon Off White in a matte finish.  It dried fairly quickly, in less then an hour.

I then accented the base with a gold paint pen.

I broke into my Anna Griffin Minc machine and minc'd several butterflies that came with the machine.  I used toner sheets (included in the HSN package) to cut every butterfly available from Anna's Cricut cartridges and minc'd those in gold as well.  I also used Anna's butterfly cut and emboss die to add some butterflies with depth.  I paired the butterflies with some of Anna's gold scrolls and applied them to the mannequin using glue dots.

I added a gold vinyl border (Cricut ~ gold) to the waistline using Anna's Lattice Border Punches (cool set...comes with 3 interchangeable punches).  To complete the look, I added one of Anna's large gold ribbons from her ribbon set.  Now, I just need to add my open stock ribbon.  I will add a pic once I complete my organization. ;)

Halloween ~ Anna Griffin Style

Good morning.  Today I would like to share some Halloween cards I created using Anna's Lovely Layered Cards paired with traditional Halloween colors.

The ribbon used is also AG used from a past kit.

The pumpkins and spider are created using Anna's Seasonal Soirees Cricut cartridge.

I thought the sentiment could be the "moon".

The embellishments used on this card include elements from Anna's Endora collection.

Just Add Bacon - Foam Coin Purse

I recently bought some foam to cut in my Cricut Explore.  I have all sort of ideas on how I can use foam to craft and play with if I can nail down the process.  I first cut foam with the Explore for the Fourth of July.  I made a Statue of Liberty hat for my daughter.  The process was pretty easy, so I decided to try a more detailed project.  Cricut has released a new cartridge called Intricate Cut Quotes that has all sorts of possibilities.  I decided to try my hand at making a coin purse.



The first time I cut foam using my Cricut Explore, I cut it a few times because it didn't look like it cut all the way through.  I also tried using a deep cut housing and blade because I thought the blade housing was dragging.  From my experience, using the standard foam 1.9mm setting, it doesn't cut all the way through to pull off the mat like cardstock does.  You simply pull the cut foam shape and it will weed with a clean line.

I used a standard mat and a regular housing blade to cut my foam using the suggestions listed in the Custom Material Setting for my Cricut Explore.

I used sticky Velcro to create the coin purse opening/closure.

I sewed the edges using the cuts created from the image as by guide. 

I also embossed the foam to give it a faux leather texture.

I hot glued the edges about two inches at a time so that the glue remained hot and would adhere completely.

Close view of the opening/closure.

I wasn't the neatest with my hot glue.  I either need to not glue so close the edge or I need one of the hot glue guns with the intricate opening (What??? An excuse to buy another crafting tool??? ;)  )

All ready to fill.

I didn't want to leave out the card makers out there.  Here is the card I created using the same cut:

And the Design Space file to recreate:  https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/30466061







Michaels - 40% Off Today Only!

Michael's has a 40% off coupon for your entire regular purchase valid for today only.  Time to go shopping!

Sesame Street Cards ~ "See" you next year!

I have been wanting to splice some character faces into cards ever since the option on Design Space became available and I finally got around to it...

I have a lot of fond memories of watching and learning from Sesame Street, so I thought I would start with them.  The process is a little tedious, but once they are spliced and sized, you can make 5 cards in 30-45 minutes!  I thought they would make a cute end of year teacher gift.

I also think they would make great "LOOK" cards.  For instance:

• Look who's turning "3"
• Look who made student of the week
• Look who got a promotion

I am including my Design Space file for easy recreation.

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/28156341

Memorial Day Cards 2015

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I thought I would share the cards I made this year to celebrate the holiday.

Cricut carts used:  Summer Celebrations, Stand & Salute

Cricut carts used:  Stand & Salute, Heritage, Summer Celebrations, Graphically Speaking

Cricut carts used:  Disney/Pixar Toy Story, Photo Booth Props, Designer's Calendar

All the cards were created using Design Space and Cricut cuts.  Short on time?  Here is my file for easy recreation:
https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/28040913

Peony Nightlight ~ Cricut Giant Flowers

When my daughter said she loved peonies...I replied "No problem."  I knew there just HAD to be a 3-D peony in at least one of the Cricut cartridges.  Cricut did not disappoint me.  There are two options for a 3-D peony flower.  I selected the Giant Flowers version since it looked like I could close the buds a little more.  My daughter likes when they are just budding and look closer to a ball.  The suggested size was 10.3". I selected 8" figuring it would come out more like a life size peony.  Uhhhh...WRONG!  These flowers are HUGE!  It assembled fairly quickly and easily and looked like we wanted it to, just GIANT.  Then we had a light bulb moment, literally.  The middle of the flower creates the perfect home for a mini battery operated tea light.  Voila, the perfect pretty night light to add to a table top.

Inspiration photo:

My example was the prototype.  I can't wait to make another one in a soft pink color or with Anna Griffin cardstock.

Cricut Free Cut of the Week ~ Arrows

Cricut helped "give me a little direction" when creating this week!  The Arrows cut is free this week when using Design Space and your Cricut Explore.

I didn't have similar cardstock as featured in Cricut's example.  I then remembered that the Imagine Pattern cartridge Notebook Doodles had a paper airplane print out as a Bonus feature.  Viola.  I had my cardstock!  There are a few other options to use as well like grid paper or blank notebook paper. 

It's a fun card and it's easy to make. Just press Make It Now and your Explore will do most of the work for you!

I also used my Stampin' Up! notebook punch to add interest to the corner and used Liquid Pearls in Mint Green instead of adhesive pearls.  The great thing about using Liquid Pearls is that you can control the size of your embellishment.

Beers to You ~ St.Patrick's Day Card

Who doesn't love beer on St. Patrick's Day?  I made this one for hubby:

MATERIALS USED:

• Cricut digital image Father's Day Card ~ Beer
• Anna Griffin Metallic Card Layers and Papers in shiny silver
• Inkssentials Enamel accents in black
• Stampin' Up! Glorious Green cardstock

This card is another simple card to make.  You simply size it, choose your colors, cut and adhere.  I added some interest and texture by placing three black enamel dots to the right side of the "can". =)

Luck of the Irish ~ St. Patrick's Day Card

This shape card was easy to make.  I just added lined up two of the mug images together, flipped the image sideways and welded.  If you haven't made a shape card before, that is all you basically have to do.  The Cricut Design Space software make it easy to do this to just about any image.  I like to cut the original image as well and layer it to the top of the base so that the image is cut short on the side where it is welded.

Here is my Design Space file for the last three posts on St.Patrick's Day cards I made:
https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/25572586

MATERIALS USED:

• Cricut Cartridge Spring Holiday Cards
• Misc. cardstock scraps in green, white and yellow
• Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
• St. Patrick's Day themed button pin
• Marvy Snow Marker

To make the beer foam I used a Marvy Snow Marker.  Once you apply the liquid from the pen, you use a heat tool to "puff" the liquid.