Altered Mini Boxes

In addition to the one large box, I also created 25 mini boxes to gift everyone that participated in the altered box swap on the Cricut Circle Message Board.

Materials Used:

• Provo Craft medium scalloped square chipboard box.
• My Mind's Eye Rosy Collection
• Adirondack acrylic paint dabber in Pearl
• "Hug Snug" seam binding in white
• Stampin' Up! Holly Berry designer fabric
• Stampin' Up! Holly Berry buttons

It was fun creating these for my Circle sisters.  I created two different versions and filled them with little green goodies.   I tried to match the box  to their stated style preference, although both boxes are what would you say...eclectic? =)

January 2012 My Pink Stamper Blog Hop ~ A Fresh Clean Start!

Happy New Year!  We are excited to kick off the year with fresh ideas and creative ways to use your My Pink Stamper stamps and your Cricut! 

This hop, we were challenged to make something for our self or that we would give someone to welcome the fresh clean start of a New Year!

Do you ever find yourself struggling to find the right stamp in your craft clutter?  I know I do!  I decided to create a crafty album to store my  My Pink Stamper stamps in:

This is how I kept my My Pink Stamper stamps sets.

The album I selected.  Isn't it just perfect?  I got it from Joann's.

The first step is to remove the insides.

These are the binding covers I used.  They are actually quite sturdy.  They were purchased from Office Max.

Next, I layed my binder cover on top of one of the photo sheets to use as my template.

I decided to fold the cover to reach just past the photo opening.

Here it is folded over, creased with my bone folder, and the approximate measurements.

I began sewing at the right with the open edge at the bottom.

I thought the zig zag pattern would be sturdy AND match the front cover design.  You will only sew the bottom and side  and leave the top open to form a pocket.  Isn't the thread just perfect too?

Here is what it looks like fully sewn and laying on top of the template.

Using the photo template, punch holes accordingly.

Here is what each sheet should look like.

And this is how I store my My Pink Stamper stamps now!  This particular album holds 12 My Pink Stamper stamp sets.

This is what the inside looks like once you add all your sheets back in.  Don't forget to add the spacers back in too.  I added them one after every 3 sheets.

Another option would be to add them to 8 1/2" x 11" notebook.  If you placed the stamp sets on their sides, you could sew two pockets per page using two binder sheets and leaving the side open to take the sets in and out.

Here is the Gypsy file for easy recreation:

http://www.box.com/s/kd4scn7z37mg1xddv7g7

I was originally going to create the image in vinyl, but I didn't have all the colors I needed and ran out of the printable vinyl (which would be the easiest).  Here is the Cricut Craft-Room file for the same image pre-colored for printable vinyl:

http://www.box.com/s/zlyenjih6mn48narj6k9

Aren't there so many stamp sets you want?  I almost have a second album filled!  To VIEW all the stamp sets available clink the link and to see the retailers that sell them, click HERE.
In appreciation for hopping with us this month, I have decided there is no better blog candy then a My Pink Stamper stamp set!

Sport-Tastic

All you need to do to win is leave a comment on this post!   I will use Random.org to choose a winner on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  Please ensure you come back and visit to see if you have won.  The winner will have until Friday, January 20 to claim his/her prize.  Thanks again for visiting and be sure to visit Angela next.

In case you are just joining us or perhaps got lost, here is the blog hop order:

Robyn (My Pink Stamper)

Alex (You Had Me at Craft)

Tracy (CraftJunkieToo)

Renee (RockinRenee)

Angela (Simple Creations)

Edna (Create With Expression)

Cristi

Agnes (Flowerdisco)

Michelle (Meesh's Pieces)

Kassidy

June

Chelle (Paper Krate)

Helen

Missy

Andrea

Courtney (Court's Crafts)

Sharon

Carissa (Sprinkled with Glitter)

Roberta

Shelley

Maria

My Crafting Calendar

I bought this kit that includes a dry erase board and calendar to adhere to a wall, board, door, etc. some time ago knowing that I was going to use it for my crafting space.  This week, the Cricut Circle blog is hosting daily challenges in celebration of its one year anniversary.  Our first challenge:

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 atleast 2 different Cricut Image Cuts. And YES! You can mix in other cartridges with your Circle Exclusive cartridges.

How perfect for me!  I finally have a reason to get this much needed project done and to FINALLY use my Cricut to cut vinyl (can you believe I have never done this?).

I bought the kit on clearance at Target, but I have seen something similar at Joann's.

I used transfer tape.

I adhered the boards (they already had adhesive) to panels on my crafting desk.

Already filling these babies up!  =)

I am using the calendar to list all my crafting due dates.  The right side dry erase board will be used for simple crafting reminders like items I need to buy or things I need to do.  The cartridge used was Cricut Everyday.

HSN Contest Banner #1

Here is the banner I created for the HSN Banner contest for the E2 Launch.

From Jinger Adams on Facebook:
I hope you'll join me as I help launch the Cricut Expression 2 on HSN! We'll be on air on 9/26 at 12AM (which is really Sunday night), 1AM, 4AM, 8AM, 11AM, 12PM, 5PM, 9PM and 10PM EST. There's going to be a fun launch party at http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCricut, starting at 9:00PM EST Sunday night (9/25) - we'll be featuring our star bloggers, announcing the E2 Design Challenge winners, answering questions about the E2, sharing projects and tutorial videos, and of course we'll have giveaways (maybe something special for those that stay up with us during the wee hours). We hope you'll join us!

The original contest announcement was a follows:

On September 26th at 12:01 AM EST Provo Craft will launch the Cricut Expression 2 on HSN. We want everyone to join in the fun by designing a pennant banner for a chance to be one of FIVE lucky people to win the new machine when it debuts on HSN (If you're a Circle member and your design wins, you'll also receive $150 credit on Cricut.com!).

Here’s how. Send an original pennant banner to enter to win the brand new Cricut Expression 2. If you watch every airing on HSN you might also see your design on live TV with Jinger. 

It was fun trying to come up with what I was going to do with my banners.  I had lots of ideas, but ran out of time and energy so here is what I came up with for banner #1:

I thought it was good, but after seeing all the banners my crafty ladies posted, I am hoping for it to atleast be seen on TV.  ;)