{ FCCB Challenge #144 - It's a Man's World }

It's a fact. We all struggle with Masculine Cards or, as I call them, "Man Cards".  I don't know why we struggle...is it because we can't use pink, or glitter, or bling, or 2"-wide, polka dot ribbon?

Maybe.

My Aunt saw this Card on Pinterest.  Very pretty...a different idea for an Anniversary Card.  I told her I that I could make it for her Anniversary...easily.  Ha.

After hours of pondering, trying ideas, cutting, inking and gathering every Tim Holtz doodad I could find, it was complete:

I used Cricut Winter Woodland and Plantin Schoolbook carts for the most of the letters, the numbers and the hearts.  The "I" and the "You" are Grungeboard.  I inked and stained everything, using Tim Holtz' Distress Products.

The Tim Holtz Trinket Pin has the number 17 on it; that's the day of my Aunt & Uncle's Anniversary.

I inked, misted (with water) and "crinkled" the ribbon until it was extremely tattered.  I loved the effect!!!

 

I know the FCCB "It's a Man's World Challenge" is almost over, but go check out everyone's project.  We all need inspiration for Man Cards!!

{ FCCB Holiday Card Challenge...}

A day late!!

I have had Rae Barthel's red and white Peace Christmas Card on my mind, since December of 2009, when it graced the cover of Paper Crafts Mag.  This darling Deer is the entire reason I bought the Cindy Loo Cartridge!

So, here's my version:

Although I love that many Cricut images have several layers, I wanted the Deer for this Card to be one layer.  There wasn't just one layer that made the entire Deer; so, I welded the three layers I needed in Design Studio.  This resulted in just one Cricut cut.

I also cut the letters from Cindy Loo, which as a full font.  This is a cute Cart that I have heard called 'a companion to Storybook' or 'Storybook 2'.

I added some flat back, red pearls for the eyes and a little bling on their backs!

Don't forget to join this week's fun at the FCCB!  The Challenge ends at midnight, December 2nd...don't be late like I was!

xoxo,

{ FCCB Challenge #137 - Pilgrim's Promise }

I have a new favorite, little Gift/Treat Bag made from an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock or patterned paper.  It's a marriage of a Scor-Pal project and a Cosmo Cricket video.

These types of Bags are so versatile.  In this case, I thought it would work well for the Bag to be dressed like a Pilgrim!  I wish the pic was a little better, but, none the less, I present my Pilgrim Treat Bag:

The Pilgrim hat is from A Child's Year and the collar is scalloped circle (cut in quarters) from CTMH Art Philosophy.  The hat is adhered to the front of the Bag using a Glue Dot.

To make the Bag, you align your cardstock at the top of the scoring tool; score at 2 1/2" and at 6".  Then, rotate the cardstock 1/4 of a turn (either way), score at 4 1/2" and 6 1/2".  Now, use your boning tool to crease all folds.

This is where the video comes in...even thought it's not the same Bag, it shows you the folding and gluing process.

I thought this would make the perfect contribution to the FCCB Pilgrim's Promise Challenge!  Head over to the FCCB and see what the other DT Members created for this week!

Have a great day!

xoxo

{ Got Fantabulous? }

I am so excited to announce that I have been chosen to be on the Design Team for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!  The amazing Robin has stepped down as Coordinator of the FCCB and the equally amazing Janea has signed on!  Super congrats to both Robin and Janea!

FCCB has been challenging us to use our Cricuts for almost 5 years.  In addition to weekly challenges, the Blog offers tips/tricks, tutorials, and inspiration.

I am tickled to be a part of this group of designers and Cricut users!!

{ Hope Your Halloween's a Scream! }

It's time for my very favorite Holiday...Halloween!

I wanted to do something that definitely was not "cutesie"...but not terrifying either...behold:

I started with Authentique patterned paper from last year for the Envelope (and my inspiration), added a damask-embossed, black mat; then I embossed a cream-colored piece of paper using the CB Music embossing folder.  I inked that piece in Tim Holtz's Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink, which is extremely pretty but very bright.  So, I toned that down a bit with some of Tim Holtz's Tea Dye Distress Ink...and I loved the result!  The candelabra is a Tim Holtz die, which I cut using Grunge Paper.  I love how Grunge Paper cuts on the those dies...it's amazing!

At that point, the inking process began.  I inked the bottom portion of the candelabra in Black Soot Distress Ink and the top portion (including the flames) in Ripe Persimmon.  Then, I used Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint on only the candle portion.  Once that dried, I pressed Vintage Photo Distress Ink into the cracks created by the Crackle Paint. This process accentuates the cracks, making them more pronounced. On the base portion of the candelabra, I used Black Soot Distress Stickles on top of the Black Soot Ink. Then, I covered the flames in Mustard Seed Distress Stickles.  It's a bit hard to see, even in the closeup, but the different portions each have a different texture.

I scalloped a "scrap" from the Envelope, added a spooky spider and a cream-colored bow...and that's it!

Boo!

{Have Gift Bag, Will Travel }

Recently last year, I came across some Gift Bags that can be made using sheet of 12 X 12 paper.  I still adore my die cutting machines, but I am crushing on this idea since it a) doesn't involve cutting and b) utilizes my new favorite tool, the Martha Stewart Scoreboard.

The first Gift Bag, which I created using yummy Webster's Pages Christmas pp, is a  
Small Wine Bag:

  

 The instructions for the above Bag are as follows:

• Use a 12” x 12” piece of paper
• Starting at top left, score at 2 ½”, 5 ½”, 8”, 11”
• Then, score the bottom 2 ½” of the paper (all the way across the page)
• Cut the bottom, vertical strips up to the 2 ½” score line
• Remove the 2 ½” x 1” piece at the end
• Fold along remaining score lines; ink edges as desired 
• Assemble into bag; adhere (I just over-lapped and adhered all of the bottom “flaps” for strength)
• Decorate as desired

  The second Gift Bag is this little gem:

I saw THIS demonstration for a cute Gift Bag on the Cosmo Cricket blog.  Basically, you score your paper (I used 12 X 12 patterned paper) at 3" and at 9"; then rotate your paper one turn and score at 5" and at 7".  The MS Scoreboard works beautifully for this.  Fold on your score lines to crease your paper.  At that point, you fold inward along the 3" and 9" creases and "mitre" your corners.  Once you see the video, you will say, "oh, ok". lol

These are SO easy and have a big "wow factor"!!  If you have any questions, or I forgot something, please don't hesitate to email me at mollyest at gmail dot com.

xoxo

{ It Seems Only Fitting... }

To Wish You a Happy Halloween!

I was inspired by ==> THIS <== faboo Card by Timm on the old Cricut message board.  Timm used the French Manor (FM) cart, which is exclusive to Cricut Circle members.  Since I am not a Circle member, I decided to create my own fashionable Witch using the Forever Young (FY) cart.  Behold:

Unfortunately, the pic doesn't do it justice (insert pouty face here)..it's more striking in real life.

As I said, the dress form is from the FY cart, and the top layer is embossed with the Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder.  The witch hat and the cat are from the new Happy Hauntings (HH) cart (which I heart) and I messily inked both of them with bronze ink.  Yes, I hand-tied the bow on the cat...it's the best bow I have ever tied (beaming).

The patterned paper is from My Minds Eye's Lost and Found Collection.  If you have not seen this collection yet, RUN, do not walk, to the nearest store.  They hit the ball out of the park with this collection, in my opinion.

I mentioned the old Cricut message board (MB).  Provo Craft opened a new Cricut MB on October 1st.  HERE is the link.  The old MB is still available to browse, but it is "read only".  I am delighted to report that the new MB is faster than the old one. They have added some new features and I think people will like it once they get used to it.  I rely heavily on the MB for inspiration and information.  I can NOT recommend it highly enough!

Thanks for stopping by!