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

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!

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

Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge Me Monday #76 - Back to School

I'm excited for back-to-school time.  My toddler isn't back in MDO yet, and I'm practically counting the minutes until his first day back.  Mommy is ready for some crafting time!  So this week's theme at Fantabulous Cricut is perfect for my current state of mind -- Challenge Me Monday #76 is Back to School!  You're encouraged to use your "ABCs" and "123s" on your project, too.

My project is a wall-hanging for my son's teachers.  He's in the Peaceful Pandas class this year:

Project Details:

• Papers - textured cardstock by Bazzil Basics; blue and orange patterns by Recollections; green stripes by American Crafts - Play.
• Cricut Cuts - panda from Create a Critter, page 58; crayons and glue from Simply Charmed, pages 52 and 54; banner from Birthday Bash, page 63; font for PANDAS from Birthday Bash.
• Other - googly eyes and white crochet thread from my mom's stash

This panda is a really big critter; I made him fit-to-page, which equaled 11 inches tall.  My son also helped by gluing on the googly eyes.

Join us over at Fantabulous Cricut by adding your back-to-school project.  Happy crafting!

Celebrate the Occasion: Challenge #25 - Back to School

The record-setting temperatures may say it's summer, but the calendar shows school is just around the corner!

To welcome the new academic year, Celebrate the Occasion is featuring back-to-school projects this week.  So open that new box of crayons and join our design team for some great school projects!

My project is a double-page scrapbook layout of my son's Beautiful Butterflies class from last year.  It was his first year at preschool, and he absolutely LOVED it.  His teachers were the best, and he made lots of little friends that he's eager to see again when his school begins after Labor Day.

Project Details:

• Papers - patterns by American Crafts: Everyday; cardstocks by C'ordinations and The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - butterflies from Create a Critter, page 64; crayons from Simply Charmed, page 52; scissors and glue from Simply Charmed, page 54; bear from Doodlecharms, page 105; backpack from Doodlecharms, page 119; car from Boys Will Be Boys, page 61; "beautiful" from Paisley, page 53; font for "BUTTERFLIES" is Opposite from Opposites Attract
• Other - lots of inking with Colorbox petal point ink pads and Le Plume II markers

I can't believe I used seven cartridges on this project!  Maybe I was having a little too much fun making die cuts of preschool objects...

You can link up your own back-to-school project at Celebrate the Occasion now through Sunday, August 14, for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from PaperTrey Ink.  I can't wait to see your school-themed projects!

I'm also submitting this project to My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #66 - Back to School.

Just for You Popsicle Card

I just can't not touch my Cricut on a lazy Saturday afternoon, you know?  The result was a fun popsicle card to play along with a few challenges:

 

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - polka dots from My Mind's Eye: Simply Delightful; plaid and dark pink from My Mind's Eye: Magnolia; orange textured cardstock by Bazzil Bling; all other cardstock from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - popsicle from Simply Charmed, page 45
• Cuttlebug Embossing - popsicle stick with Distressed Stripes
• Other - sentiment stamp by Hampton Ink, stamped with Bright Pink Stampabilities ink pad; ribbon by CelebrateIt Basic Narrows; inking with orange Colorbox petal point ink pad and scarlet Le Plume II marker; brad by 7 Gypsies - Angelo; google eyes from Target DollarSpot

I'm submitting this card to the following challenges:

CardPatterns:  Sketch 125
Fantabulous Cricut: Challenge #69 - I Scream for Ice Cream / Cool Treat (I'm on the DT now, but I still like to play along...)
Paper Cutz Challenge #101 - Anything Goes

Seasons Greetings Mitten Card

I'm loving all the Christmas projects around the Cricut blogosphere this month.  I decided to join in the early celebration with a holiday card project:

Card Details:

• Card Base - shaped card created with <mitten> from Simply Charmed, page 65 (shadow) cut at 5.25 inches
• Papers - patterned papers from K&Company's Yuletide paperpack; solid cardstock from The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - mitten from Simply Charmed, page 65; "Seasons Greetings" sentiment from Winter Woodland, page 63
• Cuttlebug Embossing - mitten cuff with D'vine Swirls; holly leaves with Victoria
• Other - inking with red Colorbox petal point ink pad and leaf green Le Plume II marker; brad by 7 Gypsies - Angelo; yarn from scraps

I love making shaped cards -- even with my antiquated "hold-it-together-with-a-brad" method.  But it actually works well for the mittens.  When fanned out to view the inside message, you get a pair of mittens!  I chose to use a simple piece of yarn as a bow to resemble the little pom-poms and shoe-string bows on mittens from my childhood.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

BBTB2 Challenge:  Mittens from "Joys of the Season"
Celebrate the Occasion:  Challenge #22 - Shaped Christmas Card

So Thoughtful Circle Card

Please don't be alarmed, but this post will be my last until next weekend.  A dear childhood friend and her three year-old son are coming to visit this week, so I'm in the process of packing up my craft goodies.  (Oh, how I wish for a craft room...)  If we need the guest room for my parents, I typically move everything to the living room since my mom and I would a-Cricut anyway.  But all these papercrafting tools are just too tempting for two little boys -- so into plastic boxes it all will go.

It's actually my first time to store everything since I began papercrafting.  Four months ago, it fit in one flat, under-the-bed container; now, I've got to make a Target run for at least two more boxes.  Wow...

But at least I'm going out with a bang.  I made one last card this evening, and I'm loving how it turned out:

Card Details:

• Card Base - scalloped round card by Studio G (5" diameter)
• Papers - all papers from My Mind's Eye: Magnolia; except green cardstock which is from The Paper Studio
• Cricut Cuts - <flower2> cut from Simply Charmed, page 39, only base and layers 1 and 2; circle mats cut with Layer 3 of <flower2>
• Cuttlebug Embossing - green leaves with Victoria
• Other - petal and gemstone embellishments by Recollections; inking with red, orange, and green Colorbox ink pads; sentiment stamp by Studio G

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Cricut360:  Challenge #2 - Circle Thank You Card
Die Cuttin' Divas:  Challenge #22 - Sketch Week
M.A.G. Challenge by the Page:  Challenge #34 - Simply Charmed

God Bless Texas Card

Fourth of July is nearing, but today I wanted to celebrate a place that's just like its own country -- TEXAS!

I moved to Texas after college graduation, a common story in Houston.  It's a running joke in our city that it's hard to find a native Houstonian -- and it's true!  But as soon as I got here, I knew Texas was different.  I remember walking around Walmart soon after I arrived and finding an entire Texas-themed bathroom set -- shower curtain, rugs, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser!  You'd never find that sort of thing in my native Louisiana.  (I mean, seriously...pelican decor?  It just wouldn't happen.)  Texans have a unique pride in their state that's strongly rooted in individual freedom and personal responsibility.  I love Texas!

Here's my patriotic *Texas* card -- simple but fun!

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - textured cardstock by The Paper Studio; non-textured cardstock from scraps; glittery star paper from The Paper Studio - Birthday Extravaganza stack
• Cricut Cuts - star from Simply Charmed, page 68; font for "TEXAS" from Birthday Bash (Font/Font Shadow)
• Cuttlebug Embossing - red, white, and blue flag sections with Distressed Stripes
• Other - doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; "God Bless" sentiment printed with computer

My design originally began as a Texas flag with the white lone star, but I had to move the star upward to accommodate the text.  Then I switched the white star for one with a little sparkle -- such a simple card needed a little pizzazz.  I used the Distressed Stripes embossing folder to make the flag look like it was made with old, wooden boards.  That rustic feel is totally Texas!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff:  Challenge #16 - Red, White, & Blue
Celebrate the Occasion:  Challenge #20 - 4th of July (Red, White, & Blue)
Fantabulous Cricut:  Challenge #66 - Happy 4th (Use Red, White, & Blue)
My Sheri Crafts:  Challenge #63 - Independence Day

Chillin' Patriotic Watermelon Card

I have a confession -- I don't like watermelon.  (I know, I know...)  But my son sure does!  He's had it occasionally and liked it well enough, but he went absolutely bonkers for it while my parents were here.  Then again, if Papaw and GG are enjoying something, Jonathan probably will too.  He loves them so much and shows it by emulating them.

So watermelon is the theme today.  I saw challenges for both watermelon and flags, and those things are the classic symbols of a fun Fourth of July weekend to me.  While I never liked eating watermelon, I do enjoy the smell.  And who can resist a watermelon with a smile?

 

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - textured cardstock by The Paper Studio; all others from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - watermelon from Simply Charmed, page 46; stars from Simply Charmed, page 68; "chillin'" sentiment from Paisley, page 24
• Other - faux stitching with white Gelly Roll pen and scarlet Le Plume II marker; inking with green and red Colorbox ink pads; watermelon on pop dots

I didn't have an American flag in my cartridge collection, so I made my own representation of one by cutting square stripes with my trimmer and affixing stars cut from Simply Charmed.  I like the faux stitching -- really gives it a homemade, all-American look.

And have I mentioned lately how much I'm *loving* these Colorbox ink pads?  Yep, thought so. :)

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff:  Challenge #15 - Dog Days of Summer
Cooking with Cricut:  Challenge #39 - Watermelon
Creative Cutter Room:  Challenge - God Bless America!
Cricut Cardz Challenge:  Challenge #80 - Flag

Sunshine Hello Card

It's now officially summer -- even though we Texans have been sweating...er, "glowing"...in 100º+ F temps since May.  I do love sunshine, but sometimes I wish it would smile more gently on us -- kinda like this cute sun from Simply Charmed:

 

Card Details:

• Card Base - DCWV Brights (A2)
• Papers - textured cardstock by The Paper Studio; all other cardstock from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - sun from Simply Charmed, page 50 with shadow; tag is two <trap1> from Opposites Attract, page 119
• Cuttlebug Embossing - alternating Spots & Dots and Swiss Dots on background color blocks
• Other - inking with yellow and orange Colorbox ink pads; stamped sentiment by Hampton Ink

I used my new Colorbox ink pads on this project, and I'm in loooooove!  I had so much fun inking all the sun's edges.  It really makes him smile (and me too).

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

Celebrate the Occasion:  Challenge #19 - Celebrating Summer (Sun)
Fantabulous Cricut:  Challenge #65 - Summer Sun

Lemonade Pitcher Tag

The ladies of "Team Chillin'" at BugBites' Grillin' & Chillin' Blog Hop are showcasing super-cute summertime projects today.  Their theme is anything you do to chill out in the summer.  My family has been chillin' by drinking lemonade this week, so I was inspired to "pretty up" our lemonade pitcher with a cute tag:

Project Details:

• Pitcher - purchased from Wal-Mart approximately three years ago -- I loved the colors!
• Lemonade - made earlier this week and "chillin'" in my fridge!
• Papers - cardstock from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - tag from "princess" cut on Playtime; lemon from Simply Charmed, page 48; ladybug from Doodlecharms, page 94 (blackout); letters from Opposites Attract (opposite feature)
• Cuttlebug Embossing - Spots & Dots on pink tag layer
• Other - doodling with white Gelly Roll pen and black pen; the ladybug was too tiny to cut circle details

I think this tag would be perfect for a party to identify types of drinks in similar containers.  But since it's back in my fridge now, I'll wait for my toddler son's reaction when he goes in for a snack.  He just recently learned how to open the fridge door, and he has many interesting reactions to the things he finds in there!

This project is being submitted to the following challenge:

BugBites' Grillin' & Chillin' Blog Hop Challenge: "Chillin'" Project with a Hidden Bug

Love Bug Easel Card

I'm really excited to show you the project I made today.  Not only is it my first easel card, but it's also my entry for the CRICUT 360º design team call.

The only stipulations for the call were to make a card or layout using lime green and a bug.  Here's my result:

Card Details:

• Card Base - easel card (5.5x5.5")
• Paper - all patterned paper from American Crafts Play Paperpack; solids from The Paper Studio cardstock and textured cardstock
• Cricut Cuts - bugs from Simply Charmed, page 31; "love bug" sentiment from Create a Critter, page 66 (phrase), heart embellishment from Create a Critter, page 64 (phrase).
• Cuttlebug Embossing - dark green layer of bugs with Distressed Stripes
• Other - ribbon by CelebrateIt Basic Narrows; doodling with white Gelly Roll pen; inking along dark pink edges with Le Plume II scarlet marker; inside sentiment created on my computer; pop-dots elevate the bugs, sentiment, and two layers of heart embellishment.

One additional detail is the hearts on the bugs' backs.  I added an extra, off-set heart layer (light pink) to the image.  Without it, the dark green would have been the highlight showing through the top heart, and it just didn't look right to me.

I thought a lot about my hubby while working on this card, and now it's sitting on the entryway table so he can see it as soon as he walks in from work!

Sonia and Nana, CRICUT 360º Hosts,
It would be an honor to participate on your design team.  I'm a newbie (got my Cricut Expression in March), but I've grown so much in my papercrafting skills by participating in challenge blogs.  Now I'd love to give back and inspire others -- especially others who are just getting started!  My work is completely Cricut and Cuttlebug-focused (no stamping), which I feel shows the complete range of what one can do with a Cricut and a little imagination.  I also love to do scrapbook layouts and would bring those types of projects to your forum.  Thank you for considering me!
Sincerely, Jessica

Nice Buns Card

Memorial Day Weekend always feels like the start of summer to me.  This year is no exception -- especially after viewing all the summer-inspired projects on BugBites' "Grillin' & Chillin" Bug Hop.

I'm entering the hop's challenge with this card:

Card Details:

• Card Base - Studio G (5x5")
• Papers - plaid from KI Memories Heirloom Collection; blue and orange distressed papers and brown damask for patty from Simply Delightful: My Mind's Eye; gray textured cardstock from The Paper Studio; all others from scraps
• Cricut Cuts - hamburger from Simply Charmed, page 49; utensils from Playtime, third layer of "Jim" cut; bug from Doodlecharms, page 92; background in plaid from Elegant Edges, page 63.
• Cuttlebug Embossing - top hamburger bun with Swiss Dots; lettuce with D'vine Swirls; tomatoes with Dots & Spots; pickle with Distressed Stripes.
• Other - inking around plaid layer with brown ink pad by Stampabilities and lots of doodling with white gel pen; also highlighted sesame seeds on buns with yellow marker.

A few words about the hamburger patty -- it looks a lot browner in person.  In the photo it looks like a tasteless, gray burger you get at a school cafeteria!  Oh well. :)

I also wanted my critter to be one of the ants I saw on the blog hop, but I couldn't find an ant cut on any of my cartridges.  I settled on making the bug from Doodlecharms in black to represent the critter.

We often get together with friends for cookouts in the summer.  I thought this would be a neat -- and cheeky, haha! -- thank you card to send a host.

Sweet Strawberry Card

My mom (also a newbie to the Cricut) is visiting this week, and we've planned lots of crafting and shopping.  In fact, my entire front room is filled with our cardmaking and scrapbooking goodies.  It's CRAZY -- and crazy-tempting to my toddler -- but I'm loving it.

She was too tired from the trip to make anything tonight, but I cranked out the following project:

Cartridges Used:
Birthday Bash
Create a Critter
Simply Charmed

The patterned papers are from my mom's stash, as is use of the Martha Stewart punch.  Isn't it great to share...well, uh, get to use...new tools?  I really need a few punches.  And this awesome stack of paper.  I'm making a list for our Hobby Lobby/Michaels/JoAnn expedition tomorrow.

I'm entering this project into the following challenges:

BBTB2:  Simply Charmed Strawberry Challenge
Cardz TV: National Scrapbooking Day Challenge - Fruit
Sassy Lil' Card Sketches:  May 7th Sketch
The Pink Stamper:  NSD Challenge #8 - Summer

Happy Cupcake Birthday Card

Happy Mothers Day!  I hope all you mothers and special ladies were honored by your loved ones with a special day.  My hubby and son took me out to lunch after church and gifted me with a new cartridge and embossing folder.  (They sure know how to support my addiction, huh?)

I'm also celebrating National Scrapbooking Day this evening, as -- more than anything else -- I wanted a "Mommy Timeout" so I could craft in peace for a few hours.  The result is a few projects from My Pink Stamper's NSD challenges combined with inspiration from sketch blogs.

My first creation tonight is a cupcake-themed birthday card made using my Mothers Day gift -- the Simply Charmed cartridge!  I love this cart already with all its happy faces and cute phrases.

 

Cartridges Used:

Lovely Floral

Simply Charmed

The cupcake is from Simply Charmed, and the side border scallop is clipped from a frame on Lovely Floral.  I printed the sentiment from my computer since I couldn't seem to find a phrase that looked good cut at such a small size.

I was also inspired by the Die Cuttin' Divas sketch this week, so I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

Die Cuttin' Divas: May 1st Sketch Challenge
The Pink Stamper: NSD Challenge #1 - Anything Cupcake