Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #91 - Trimming with a Tag

It's almost Christmas..!!  Are you just as excited as me...?!  Our family has been busy with our favorite holiday outings and traditions -- and also nursing my little guy through a four-day fever -- but I did have time to make a few tags for this week's Trimming with a Tag challenge at Fantabulous Cricut.

I made these Baby Jesus gift tags to decorate the wrapping for my son's Sunday School teachers' gifts.  It's hard to find gift wrap and trimmings that relate the holiday back to Christ, so I enjoyed making my own packaging to acknowledge God's Perfect Gift.  (Jesus, that is -- not Bath & Body Works.)

Here's a closeup of a tag:

Project Details:

• Paper - cardstock by Recollections; green patterned paper by Me & My Big Ideas
• Cricut Cuts - baby Jesus and star from Winter Folic, page 71; tag from Winter Frolic, page 70
• Embossing - manger with The Paper Studio's Wood Grain; swaddling clothes with Cuttlebug's Distressed Stripes
• Other - inking with yellow and light green Colorbox ink pads; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; baby Jesus and star on pop dots

I'm totally loving how they turned out -- and now wishing that I'd made tags for all the gifts under the tree.  Oh well, maybe next year. :)  Yes, along with 50+ handmade Christmas cards.  (I have very high hopes for 2012, eh?)

Have you made a fun tag this season?  Or used a tag on a scrapbook page?  Go share at Fantabulous Cricut this week for our final challenge of the year.  Happy crafting!

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

BBTB2: Challenge - Winter Frolic Tag
CardzTV: Cricut Cardz Challenge #98 - Tag, You're It
Die Cuttin' Divas - Tags, Tags, & More Tags
Whimsical Designs: Whimsical Wednesday Challenge - Tags

Snowman Panda Explosion Box

And here's my second of two explosion boxes for my son's preschool teachers.  For this box, I chose a snow theme and also included the classroom panda mascot.

The outside...

...and the inside exploded!

Here's two closeups of the snowflakes and 3D elements:

Project Details:

• Papers - patterned paper by ADT - Wisterberry; solid cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - 3D snowman from Winter Woodland, page 74; panda from Create a Critter, page 58; scarf for panda from Winter Frolic, page 35; snowflakes and tag panel from Winter Woodland, page 35; "For You" sentiment from Winter Frolic, page 56
• Embossing - lots of layers with Cuttlebug's Snowflakes
• Other - plaid ribbon by American Crafts; white ribbon from stash; snowflakes and sentiment on pop dots

The lighter-weight paper helped this explosion box stay "open" more than my previous one -- except for the panel holding the gift card, of course.  I didn't create a flap for the gift card since it actually matched the colors and theme so well; I just used my ATG gun to smack it down.  I'm also pleased with the bow on top of the lid.  I don't make pretty bows, but this one turned out quite nice!

I'm entering this project into the following challenge:

My Sheri Crafts: Challenge #75 - Let It Snow

Sorry for the quick entry, but me and my little guy are off to deliver these presents to his teachers!

Christmas Tree Panda Explosion Box

I have a big achievement this week -- I made an explosion box...!!!

I've always admired the explosion boxes I've seen others make, but I thought they were too involved and too complicated for me.  But with Christmas coming, I was inspired to make something special to hold gift cards for my son's preschool teachers.  This box has a red, green, and Christmas tree theme and also features a panda since that's the mascot for my son's classroom.  Here's the outside:

Open it up, and here's what's inside...

And a few closeups of the panels...

Project Details:

• Papers - patterned papers from Recollections - Believe paper pack; solid cardstock by Recollections; gold paper by Creative Memories
• Cricut Cuts - 3-D tree from Winter Woodland, page 73; panda from Create a Critter, page 58; scarf for panda from Winter Frolic, page 35; ornaments from Winter Frolic, pages 64 and 65; tag from Winter Frolic, page 65; "Christmas Wishes" sentiment from Winter Frolic, page 67; "A Gift for You" sentiment from Winter Frolic, page 43
• Embossing - tree, ornament pieces, and outside side panels with Cuttlebug's Victoria
• Other - ornaments inked with Colorbox red ink pad; gold curling ribbon from stash; sentiments on pop dots

I'm super pleased with the result and hope his teacher likes the way we presented her gift card.  The only thing I'd change is backing the patterned papers with cardstock -- it made the flaps a little too heavy to stay "exploded" when the box is open.  Next time, I'll either skip the backing and/or choose lighter-weight papers.

My favorite detail is how the scarf is curled to make it appear to be blowing in the wind.  It had a more utilitarian beginning, though -- I had to curl so it would fit in the box when folded!  I also like the holly paper I used on the inside panels.  It kinda looks like bamboo, which is perfect for the panda!

I hope you enjoyed my first explosion box -- it took three naptimes to make!  I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

BBTB2: Challenge - Winter Frolic Tag
Cooking with Cricut: Challenge #64 - Cards, Tags, & Gifts
Die Cuttin' Divas: Challenge #44 - Tags, Tags, & More Tags
Whimsical Designs: Challenge - Winter Fun

Sledding All The Way Card

It's very rare we get snow in Houston, but we actually saw some last night!  No, not from the sky, but from a machine for a neighborhood Christmas tree lighting.  My toddler son had no clue what the white stuff was and would not go near it!

The snow and fake sledding hill from the event inspired me to make this winter holiday card tonight:

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - Recollections cardstock
• Cricut Cuts - sledding boy from Winter Frolic, page 42; holly from Winter Frolic, page 58 (Layers); tag from Playtime; snowflakes from Winter Woodland, page 35 (Layers)
• Embossing - background with Cuttlebug's Snowflakes; red shirt and hat with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture; sled with The Paper Studio's Wood Grain
• Other - jingle bell from Hobby Lobby; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; sled and snowflakes on pop dots; inking on sled with brown Stampabilities ink pad

I really got to dig deep in my scrap bin and found some leftover cardstock from Christmas in July projects - three cheers for leftovers!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

CardzTV: Cricut Cardz Challenge #96 - Christmas...Say It With "S"
Exploring Cricut: Challenge #5 - Sled or Sleigh
Paper Cutz Challenge: Challenge #118 - Jingle All The Way
The Cuttlebug Spot: Challenge - Leftovers

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #89 - Present Time

Christmastime is finally here!  Once Thanksgiving is over, I finally give myself permission to put on my favorite holiday music and bring out the decorations. So I'm excited to bring out a Christmas layout today for Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday #89.  This week's theme is present-time, so my layout features my little guy opening his presents on Christmas morning 2009:

I love so many of the cuts on the Winter Frolic cartridge, especially the Christmas tree and stack of presents!  Here's close-ups:

Project Details:

• Papers - patterns by ATD: Wisterberry; textured cardstock by Bazzil Basics; non-textured cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - tree from Winter Frolic, page 48; presents from Winter Frolic, page
• Embossing - tree with Cuttlebug's Musical Flourish; presents with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls and Swiss Dots and The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture and Doodleborders
• Other - tag and stickers by ATD: Wisterberry; inking with light green Colorbox ink pad and brown Stampabilities ink pad; tree and presents on pop dots; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen

Head on over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the other "Present Time" projects by the design team.  There's cards, tags, and even gifts -- all beautiful creations to inspire you this week!

I'm entering this project in the following challenge(s):
Amanda's Crafts and More: Getting Scrappy Challenge #22 - A Wonderful Christmas Time
Stuck on You Sketches: Die Cut Challenge - Christmas Trees

Floral Celebrate / Birthday Card

I followed a fun sketch at Die Cuttin' Divas this morning to make a birthday card for my mother-in-law.  Here's my resulting card:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Studio G (5x5")
• Papers - patterns from My Mind's Eye: Simply Delightful; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - flower from Forever Young, page 73
• Embossing - black background and aqua flower center with Cuttlebug's Bloom Dots; pink flower petals with Cuttlebug's Musical Flourish; ribbons with The Paper Studio's Doodle Borders
• Other - inking with orange Colorbox ink pad; flower, background, and sentiment on pop dots

I'm totally in love with these papers from My Mind's Eye and have been looking for the perfect card to feature them.  I think it turned out quite nice!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Birthday Sundaes: Challenge #37 - Anything Goes
Die Cuttin' Divas: Challenge #43 - Weekly Sketch

Table Grace 2011 - Peacock-Themed Table Decorations

Hi friends!  I'm so excited to share a big project with you that occupied most of my November craft time -- an entire peacock-themed table!

Each year, my church's womens ministry hosts an event called Table Grace.  Ladies decorate 70+ tables in any theme -- the bigger and more elaborate, the better! -- and invite neighbors, coworkers, and friends to the event for a catered meal and inspirational speaker.  It's a great outreach event and accessible way to invite others to church who might not necessarily be open to coming to a Sunday worship service.

My friend Monica and I did a table together.  She's been wanting to redecorate with peacocks, so we took the opportunity to get a few key items for her new decor.  Our inspiration piece was her peacock feather runner and some gorgeous turquoise peacock ribbon we found in Hobby Lobby's Christmas section.  We set the table together, and I got to make some super awesome paper items with my Cricut!

Here's a photo of the entire table:

And some close-up shots of the centerpiece, place settings, and my Cricut creations:

 

 

 

Place Card Details:

• Paper - patterned paper from Recollections: Charming; cardstock and glitter specialty paper by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - feather from Sentimentals, page 57 (many thanks to Glenda from Glenda's Cards for loaning me this cartridge!)
• Other - names printed in FineSerif font from MS Publisher; glitter paint applied to outer feather cut; gem from Michaels $1 bin; inking with cyan Colorbox ink pad

Chair Tie Details:

• Paper - patterned paper from Recollections: Charming; cardstock and glitter specialty paper by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - background with Elegant Edges, page 51; peacock from Give a Hoot, page 37 (and more thanks to my mom for loaning this cartridge to me!)
• Embossing - peacock feathers with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls
• Other - gems from Michaels $1 bin; inking with cyan Colorbox ink pad; peacock on pop dot

I hope you enjoyed our peacock table -- it was a hit with the ladies at our table and all those who viewed the tables before the event.

I'm entering this project into the follow challenges:

Decorate to Celebrate: Challenge #12 - Surprise, It's a Birthday - The event wasn't a birthday party, but we did have a birthday gal at our table!  And these items could easily be transferred to a fabulous adult birthday party.
The Paper Variety: Inspiration Challenge - I was inspired by the teal color and leaves that actually looked like feathers to me.

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #41 - Birthday Sketch

It's another challenge day at Celebrate the Occasion!  For Challenge #41, we have a birthday sketch -- which is perfect because today is my sister-in-law's birthday!  I made this clean-and-simple card for her:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Studio G (5x5")
• Papers - Recollections
• Embossing - Happy Birthday by Cuttlebug
• Other - sentiment stamp by Hampton Ink stamped with Colorbox purple ink pad; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen

What a departure for me -- this card is completely Cricut-LESS!  My sister-in-law's style leans more toward modern than mine, so I kept my interpretation of the sketch simple.  I like how the embossing and turning the words in different directions turned out, too.

Head on over to Celebrate the Occasion to see how the other design team members interpreted the sketch -- and upload a photo of your creation, too!

Re-Draw of Blog Candy Winner - FCCB Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl

My blog candy from the FCCB Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl was unclaimed, so I've redrawn a winner:

Congratulations, Shelby of Shelby's Card Designs!  Please email your mailing address to jesscoll <at> att <dot> net, and I'll send your goodies.  (You have one week to claim the prize.)

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #87 - Thank You

Happy Monday!  It's time for another challenge at Fantabulous Cricut!  The theme for Challenge #87 is Thank You -- your card or project must include the words "thank you" somewhere on it.

I'm looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with family this week, so I had to use this opportunity to make just one more turkey card:

 

Card Details:

• Card Base - Recollections (A6)
• Papers - patterns by The Paper Studio; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - turkey from Create a Critter, page 70
• Embossing - feathers with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls and Swiss Dots
• Other - brad by 7 Gypsys - Angelo; "Thank You" stamp from Michaels $1 bin; yarn from stash; turkey on pop dots

What are you thankful for?  Show us with a Thank You project at Fantabulous Cricut -- I can't wait to see what you create!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Cooking with Cricut: Challenge #60 - Let's Talk Turkey
Die Cuttin' Divas: Challenge #41 - Turkey Time
Exploring Cricut: Challenge #4 - Turkey
Paper Cutz Challenge #117 - Let's Talk Turkey
The Cuttlebug Spot: Challenge - Gobble, Gobble Turkey

Blog Candy Winner - FCCB Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl

Thanks for all your comments on my Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl project!  Now, to draw a winner for the QuicKuts embossing folder...

Congratulations, Shelly of My Paper Love!  Please email your mailing address to jesscoll <at> att <dot> net, and I'll send your goodies.  (You have one week to claim the prize.)

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #39 - Thanksgiving

If you're looking for my Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl entry, please click HERE.

Happy Tuesday -- it's time for another Celebrate the Occasion challenge!  This week's theme is Thanksgiving with the requirement to use a punch.  I've made so many turkeys lately that I wanted to take a departure for this challenge.  So I used another animal we see quite often in November -- squirrels!

Card Details:

• Card Base - squirrel card from Winter Woodland, page 57, cut at 5 inches
• Papers - stripes from Me & My Big Ideas - Autumn; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - squirrel and card base from Winter Woodland, page 57; leaves from B is for Boy
• Embossing - squirrel body with Cuttlebug's Herringbone; squirrel tail with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls; acorn top with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture
• Other - sentiment stamp by Hampton Ink; EKSuccess 1-inch scalloped punch; inking with brown Stampabilities ink pad; leaves and sentiment on pop dots

Head over to Celebrate the Occasion to see the other design team members' creations link up your Thanksgiving project with punches!

I'm also submitting this project to the following challenges:

Cooking with Cricut - Challenge #59 - Fruits, Cornucopia & Harvest Time
Cricut Cardz Challenge #95 - We're So Thankful (Use Card Feature)
Paper Playtime:  Challenge #60 - Thank You Projects
Stuck On U Sketches:  Die Cut Leaf Challenge

Fantabulous Cricut: Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl

Welcome to Cricut After Dark and the Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl -- Fantabulous Cricut's version of a blog hop!

It's fall and everyone at Fantabulous Cricut has decided to create projects to give thanks for our Harvest Blessings!   Each Design Team member will be featuring an original fall project that includes brown, orange and red – along with at least one Cricut cut.

If you've come from visiting Jennie at EarthyScrap, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start HERE .

Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration. There will be prizes along the way at some of our DT members' blogs, and there will be a Grand Prize up for grabs for a participant who submits a Harvest Blessings project at FCCB!

My project is a turkey place card/decor, inspired by this winner from Michaels' 24-hour Gypsy Challenge in 2009.  I don't have a Gypsy or the cartridges used, so I improvised with my own -- and I really like the result:

Project Details:

• Papers - stripes by Me & My Big Ideas - Autumn; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - feathers are <trap1> (Upright) from Opposites Attract, page 62, cut at 3 inches; body is same, cut at 5 inches, rolled and taped; head is <round> (Upright) from Opposites Attract, page 63, cut at 1.75 inches; beak is <yourday1> (Italic) from Cricut Classic Font, page 71, cut at 0.75 inches folded; waddle is <turkey1> (Layer 4) from Simply Charmed, page 61, cut at 1.75 inches (real dial size); tag is <cute> from Playtime, cut at 2.5 inches; "grateful" sentiment is <pilgrim> (Phrase) from 3 Birds on Parade, page 41, cut at 1 inch.
• Embossing - feathers with The Paper Studio's Doodle Borders; tag with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots
• Other - inking with brown Stampabilities ink pad; hand-drawn eyes

Because one of my harvest blessings are you, my crafty friends, I have a little giveaway, too.  It's one of my super bargain finds -- a QuicKutz embossing folder!

To qualify for the giveaway, please leave a comment on this entry.  I'll select a winner with random.org on Monday, November 21, around 7am (Central).  Please note I can only ship to US residents at this time.

Now it's your turn! Let's see your Harvest Blessings projects!  Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project and be sure to use the colors Brown, Orange and Red as well.

Next stop is Jewel's blog, My Beautiful, Crazy...Scrappy Life.  Go and see what she has in store for you today.  And when you're done, make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest!

Happy Crawling!

I'm also submitting this project to the following challenges:

My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #73 - Be Thankful
Whimsical Designs:  Challenge - Happy Turkey Day

Game Day Football Layout

My husband loves football and the Houston Texans -- and "loves" may not even be a strong enough word!  His love for football is so great, he leaves church in an absolute rush on Sundays to get to the car and turn the radio to the Texans game.  He then jumps out of the car before we pull into the garage to get to the TV as quickly as possible.  Yes, my husband has issues for the sixteen weeks of football season.

For the past three years, hubby has also been working to instill his love of football in the next generation.  Our little guy is finally old enough to understand more about the game this year.  He knows a few key words/phrases like football, touchdown, and Go, Texans -- which is about as much as his mommy knows too!

I made this game day layout this week to show what a typical Sunday afternoon looks like at our house.  The photos are from last season when the little man first began paying attention to Daddy's obsession:

Here's a closer look at the embossed football and handmade "field" I made with numbers from the Cricut Classic Font cartridge:

Project Details:

• Papers - patterns from DCWV - All About Boys; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - football from Boys Will Be Boys, page 31; banner and "GAMEDAY" font from Birthday Bash; yard line numbers from Cricut Classic Font
• Embossing - football with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots
• Other - ribbon by American Crafts; inking with brown Stampabilities ink pad; football on pop dots

I'm submitting this project to the following challenge:

BBTB2:  My Pink Stamper Challenge - Boy Crazy
My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #72 - All About Sports

Coming Soon: Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl @ FCCB

The design team at Fantabulous Cricut has a fun Cricut Crawl (our version of a blog hop) coming November 14.  It will be my first blog hop, so I'm super excited!

Check back here or at FCCB next Monday to follow along with some great autumn and harvest projects!

Retreat = Booked!

I just booked my next scrapbooking retreat!  I'm going to Pine Cove @ Crier Creek on January 6 - 8, 2012, in Columbus, Texas.  (Yep, this is the same retreat I attended last year that led to my catching the Cricut bug!)

I'm still trying to convince some friends to come along, but for now I'm going solo. South/central Texas folks -- anybody interested?

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #37 - Fall with Pumpkin

So hard to believe it's November, huh?  It's also time for another challenge at Celebrate the Occasion!  For Challenge #37, we were asked to create a fall project featuring a pumpkin.

My Halloween door hanging has gotten so many compliments -- both online and in person -- that I decided to update my Thanksgiving door decor, too. I use this wreath each year in November.  It came from either Ross or Marshalls about four years ago.  But it seemed to need the Cricut touch, so I added this:

Here's a photo that's zoomed on the cut:

Project Details:

• Papers - cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - cornucopia and "Giving Thanks" sentiment from Celebrate with Flourish
• Embossing - cornucopia with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture, pumpkin with Cuttlebug's Distressed Stripes; brown grapes and leaves with Cuttlebug's Victoria
• Other - inking with orange and dark green Colorbox ink pads and brown Stampabilities ink pad

I'm really pleased with the inking on the leaf, pear, and carrot.  Before the ink, they were just flat yellow, but the extra details add so much!

Do you ever make Cricut add-ons to wreaths or other wall decor?  If so, leave me a link in the comment section -- I'd love to see them!

Also, head on over to Celebrate the Occasion to share your fall pumpkin creations.  I'm off now to take down Halloween decorations and put up fall and Thanksgiving!

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #84 - For the Birds

Happy Halloween!  It may be the day for ghosts and goblins, but we're looking skyward at Fantabulous Cricut.  The theme for Challenge #84 is For the Birds, and you're encouraged to use a bird, birdhouse, or birdcage on your projects for this week.

It's also a new Design Team term at FCCB, and I'm so honored to be continuing on with this talented group of ladies.  Welcome to the new DT members, and best wishes to those who are moving on to other awesome things!

My project is a layout for my son's scrapbook of his preschool's annual Holiday Celebration last year.  The kids sing both Thanksgiving and Christmas songs, so that's why you see both turkeys and Baby Jesus in the photos!  There's also a photo of the turkey centerpiece he made out of handprints and bath tissue rolls.  Isn't it cute...?!?!

I actually made this page at my retreat in September, and I'm happy it features a turkey so I can share it for this challenge:

 

I'm really proud of the inking on the leaves and other details, so here's some close ups:

 Project Details:

• Papers - patterns by The Paper Studio; cardstock by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - turkey from Simply Charmed, page 61; leaves from Creative Memories: Cheerful Seasons, page 56
• Embossing - turkey feathers with Cuttlebug's D'vine Swirls
• Other - sentiment sticker by The Paper Studio; inking with red, dark green, orange, and yellow Colorbox ink pads and brown Stampabilities ink pad

Are you ready to make a project for the birds?  If so, head over to Fantabulous Cricut and share your creation!

Scrappin' Saturdays at Fantabulous Cricut

Hi, crafty friends!  I just wanted to let you know I've started doing the Scrappin' Saturday posts over at Fantabulous Cricut.  Go check out today's post about Halloween mini-albums.

After seeing such wonderful inspiration, I want to make a mini-album of my own.  It may have to wait a few weeks, though, because I'm deep in a tablescape project.  It's a peacock theme with lots of sparkles, feathers, and jewels -- I'm so eager to post about it, but the event isn't until November 7.

Yep, I'm waiting impatiently... :)

Icky, Spooky, Creepy Halloween Wall Decor

Halloween is so much more fun as a parent -- I think that's why I've been really excited about decorating for the holiday this year.  My little guy is totally into spotting pumpkin and ghost decorations in neighbors' yards, so I decided to make a wall hanging to put on our front door:

 Here's some close-ups of each panel:

Project Details:

• Papers - patterned paper from ATD - Spookytown Collection; cardstocks by Recollections
• Cricut Cuts - background panels from Elegant Edges, page 25; all other cuts from Mini Monsters - spider, page 54; ghost, page 42; pumpkin, page 61; spider web, page 74; trees, page 73; fence, page 72; "icky", page 28; "spooky", page 42; "creepy", page 31
• Embossing - pumpkin with Cuttlebug's Distressed Stripes; spider belly with Cuttlebug's Spots & Dots; spider's bow with The Paper Studio's Doodle Borders
• Other - pre-made glitter bow by Momentum; inking with black Stampabilities ink pad, green and purple Colorbox ink pads, and ultramarine and butterscotch Le Plume II markers; buttons and petal embellishments by Recollections; googly eyes from Target $1 Spot; spider, spider's bow, ghost, and pumpkin on pop-dots

I hung the project on little man's bedroom door to get a good photo with a solid white background -- and now he thinks it belongs there!  I'll have to sneak it to the front door when he goes down for a nap.

I hope you like my project.  It's definitely the most ambitious Cricut adventure I've had since my retreat last month.  And now I'm in the Halloween spirit!

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

BBTB2:  Crafty Sprouts Contest - Halloween Project with Purple
Cooking with Cricut:  Challenge #56 - Purple and Green
Cricut 360º:  Spooky Halloween Blog Hop & Challenge
Decorate to Celebrate:  Challenge #11 - Halloween Party
My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #71 - It's the Great Pumpkin!
Paper Playtime:  Challenge #58 - Say It with Sentiments - Use Buttons and Bows

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #35 - Masculine Birthday with Metal

Happy Tuesday!  I'm excited to share with you the card I made for Celebrate the Occasion's Challenge #35.  This week's theme is all about celebrating a guy's birthday with metal!  I think my project is perfect for any guy -- big or little -- who's into science and space.

I've never used metal on a project, so I was a little concerned about what I'd do for this challenge.  I've been trying to not buy many new craft supplies, and I'd already blown my weekly "allowance" when it was time to work on this card.  That's when my mind wandered to the aluminum foil in the kitchen...

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - patterned paper from DCWV - Nana's Kitchen; textured cardstock by Bazzil Bling; non-textured cardstock by Recollections; Reynolds aluminum foil
• Cricut Cuts - rocket from Nifty Fifties, page 28
• Embossing - rocket with Cuttlebug's Spots & Dots; aluminum foil background with The Paper Studio's Mesh Texture
• Other - rocket on pop dots; inking with orange, green, and cyan Colorbox ink pads; sentiment stamp from Michaels $1 bin

Yes, there's an actual layer of the rocket cut from aluminum foil with my Cricut!  But I won't lie; it was hard!  I had the pressure and speed set as low as possible and my blade height was at 1 -- and I still had to cut that layer eight times to get a usable piece!  I think using a heavier-weight foil would help with those issues.  Or perhaps choosing a cut that doesn't have many intricate turns or narrow pieces.

My favorite thing about working with the foil was how great it looks when embossed.  I squealed with delight the first time I ran it through the Cuttlebug and saw the result!  Now I want to try foil in all my embossing folders!

I challenge you to head over to Celebrate the Occasion and participate in our male metal challenge.  And if you don't want to invest in specialty paper, consider giving aluminum foil a try -- I was very pleased with the result.

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #82 - Purple People Eater

Are you hungry?  Well...the Purple People Eater -- this week's theme at Fantabulous Cricut -- is!

I made a fun Halloween card featuring a purple monster for this challenge -- and it was a challenge for me because this card is completely Cricut-less.  The monster is from this week's FCCB prize sponsor, SVG Attic.  Since I've never worked with these file types before, Amy Jo (my fellow design team member) cut and mailed this cute little guy to me.  Thanks, Amy Jo!

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - ATD - Spookytown Collection
• Cut - monster by SVG Attic - Mommy's Monsters
• Embossing - monster with Cuttlebug's Spots & Dots; orange background with The Paper Studio's Doodle Borders
• Other - sentiment sticker from ATD - Spookytown Collection; googly eye from stash; pompoms by Recollections; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; monster on pop dots; inking with purple Colorbox ink pad

I just love the sentiment sticker -- perfect for a purple people eater!

Now it's your turn to celebrate Halloween with a hungry, purple monster!  Head on over to FCCB to see more projects for inspiration and then link up your own creation!

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #80 - Pumpkin Time

I'm finally recovering from a flu bug -- or something miserably enough like it -- long enough to show you one of the projects I did on my scrapbooking getaway at Rivendell Ranch.  This two-page layout is also my project for Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday #80 - Pumpkin Time.

This time of year, pumpkins make me think...Halloween!  These scrapbook pages feature my son trick-or-treating last October:

 

Here's a few close-ups of my favorite Cricut cuts on the pages:

Project Details:

• Papers - patterned papers by ATD - Spookytown Collection; cardstocks by Recollections and The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - pumpkin from Simply Charmed, page 60; bat from Simply Charmed, page 59; candy from Doodlecharms, page 63; spider from Doodlecharms, page 62; background shield from Elegant Edges, page 25
• Other - inking with Colorbox purple, lime, and orange ink pads; "trick or treat" sticker and "candy please" tag from ATD - Spookytown Collection; Cricut cuts elevated on pop dots

I've been holding onto these ATD Spookytown papers for almost six months -- and I love, love, love them!  They are just perfect for a toddler/kid Halloween layout and match so well with the Simply Charmed cartridge's styling.  I'm really pleased with how these pages turned out, and I hope they'll inspired you to have some "pumpkin time" too!

Remember to check out the other pumpkin creations over at FCCB.  My fellow design team gals have some AMAZING projects this week.  I can't wait to see what you create!

I'm also entering this project in the following challenge:

Paper Playtime: Challenge #57 - Black, Orange, & Purple