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

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

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