Cricut Circle Weekly Challenge #4: BOO! Challenge

In honor of Halloween this week's Cricut Circle Challenge is to create a Halloween project that incorporates some kind of transparent element (vellum, acrylic, plastic packaging, overlay, etc.) and at least 2 Cricut cuts.


Well, I've been dying to cut these frames and silhouettes from the Happy Hauntings cartridge, have I mentioned how much I LOVE this cartridge? I decided to make the witch for the challenge but I think I'm going to cut a few more to put in the other windows. My transparent element is the white and silver vellum that is the background. I bought this pretty vellum at least a year ago when Michael's was clearancing all of their vellums and changing their whole paper set up. I bought a TON of vellum and I don't think I've used a bit of it since! I tend to not want to "waste" special papers but I've decided that if I'm creating a project it's not a waste!


I originally cut the witch out of plain orange card stock and it looked ok but I felt it needed something... so I grabbed my Xyron 510 sticker maker and my Martha Stewart copper glitter (that I bought on clearance after Christmas last year). I just ran the cut through my Xyron upside down so the FRONT would be covered with adhesive. Then I coated it with the glitter. LOVE this trick! Then I popped her up with some Helmar black Zap Dots for a little dimention. I also popped the bats on the side of the frame up also.


I think this turned out really cool and I love the way it looks in the window too. I was thinking I would just used a removable Glue Dot to hang it on the window and then be able to easily take it down to store until next Halloween!

Coffin Box Teachers Gift

For today’s project I created this fun treat box for my daughter’s teacher using the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge!


I will have to say this is one of my favorite cartridges! For this box I cut the Coffin Box at 10 ¾” for both the lid and bottom from black cardstock. Then I cut the stand also at 10 ¾” from grey cardstock. Once I realized it was a stand for the coffin to sit on I actually cut it again to make it a little sturdier. Then I cut the red zig-zag layer (which I think is technically for the other coffin box but I wanted more pop) and adhered that to the base. Next I grabbed a scrap of the red and embossed it with the Forest Branches Cuttlebug Folder to make the drape over the coffin.


I adhered everything together using my favorite Scor-Tape! Last I cut the RIP at 2” with the phrase feature on Happy Hauntings and then added a little bling! When you subtract the messing around time I’m thinking I could now duplicate this for the other two teachers in about a ½ hour!


Shopping List:

Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge
Forest Branches Cuttlebug Folder
Scor-Tape!

Hello Thursday!!!!

What? Three posts in a single day? Crazy, I know! Today is Hello Thursday which means all of the NEWEST Cricut Cartridges are being shown! Actually, as a Circle member I got to see them a little early but I couldn't share them yet. Joy over at Obsessed With Scrapbooking is one of the Hello Thursday design team members and she has all of the new releases posted as well as a few projects she has created! Go check them all out on her blog.... Here are a few that are on my wish list!


Paper Lace


Sesame Street Seasons


Car Decals

Alright now go see the rest at Obsessed With Scrapbooking!!!

Weekly Challenge #3: AUTUMN SPLENDOR! Color Challenge

Normally I don't do back to back blog post but I have two great challenges I'm entering! If you haven't checked out my Imaginisce project scroll down one post and check it out!

This weeks Cricut Circle Challenge is the Autumn Spendor Color challenge. The only requirements were to use the above color palate (gray, orange, tan and burgundy) and at least two cuts. So here's what I created:


I used my Create a Critter Cartridge to cut this adorable squirrel. I embossed the layers with my Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl and Dotted Swiss folders to add some texture to my cuts. The squirrel is cut at 4" and the little acorn he is holding is cut at 3/4". I had this strip of patterned paper in my scrap bin and I thought it was perfect for this project!


Here is a look at the inside of the card. The phrase "Nuts About U" on the Create a Critter Cartridge too! There are lots of fun phrases on this one! The acorns were cut at 1-1/2" and 1" and I used a circle punch to create the leaves. I added the other half of my paper strip to the inside just to finish it off!


The finished size of my card is 5-1/2" x 5-1/2". I also want to mention that I used some Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist on the front of the card for that little extra sparkle. I think I need to send this one to a certain squirrel loving aunt. Sssssh, don't tell her!

Imaginisce October Sketch Challenge Entry

Those of you who know me or are regular followers probably know that I normally create two page layouts. Well, Imaginisce has monthy challenges and this is the sketch that I am working with:


I actually thought about stretching it to make it a two pager but when I searched my hoard, uh, stash for just the right papers for this challenge I came across this gorgeous paper that I've be hoarding for at least two years! Well, I didn't have enough paper to stretch the sketch so I actually made a one page layout. I bought this paper before I learned to buy two of everything!


Isn't this paper GORGEOUS? It's all from the "For Peeps Sake" line. It's so springy and glittery, I just love it! It was actually really hard to cut this paper up. And to top it off... I had an experiment go horribly wrong and change the entire plan I had in my head. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with the results and I learned a few lessons along the way.


This is my first attempt at one of those fun pleated flowers everyone has been creating. I love the way it turned out and if you'll notice the brad in the center was created with my i-top and then blinged out with my i-rock! I love using both of these tools because they are so easy and add that "something extra" to my projects. The border punch I used was from Martha Stewart called Cherish. It is actually one of the new Punch Around the Page punches and I think it's so cute!


The banner title was created using my Country Life Cricut Cartridge. This is one of those cartridge that I thought I didn't *need* but when I saw the banner font I HAD to have it! Next on the agenda is creating a banner for each of my daughters. But I digress, I cut both layers of the banner and then adhered them to a piece of floss from my stash with Scor-Tape. I actually left it free floating on the page. After I got it just the way I wanted I thought it was still a tad bit plain. Enter my i-rock once again! I wish I would have thought of adding the bling BEFORE I stuck the banner on the page but again, lesson learned! I'm so thrilled with how this layout turned out with all the layers and texture. Oh, I almost forget! I finally used my Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots on this page! Instead of pulling out the foam squares I used the Scrap Dots to attach my photo and the raised paper panel. It was cool that I didn't have to guess at how many foam squares high I wanted things, I just blobbed out the glue and then let my paper dry on a flat surface. I did the same on the photo and I loved how quick and easy it was to do! Thanks for reading!

Blog Hop with Helmar

If you love a great Blog Hop (and really, who DOESN'T) you should check out the Helmar Blog Hop! In case you're not familiar with Helmar they make some pretty AWESOME adhesives! I personally LOVE their Quick Fix Adhesive Runners for my scrapbook pages. I have made a vow to myself that I'm going to break out my tube of Liquid Scrap Dots AKA Heaven in a Tube (you'll find out who calls it that on the Helmar Blog Hop) and create a fun project TODAY! Thanks for reading and hopefully I will be back later with a project to share!

Drum Roll Please.......

And the lucky winner of my blog candy giveaway is.....







Comment #9










Who is Karel J!!!!







Karel you have 48 hours to contact me at Mandas1610 at sbcglobal dot net to claim your prize!!!!

Thanks to everyone who played along! When I reach 250 followers I hope to have another great giveaway so keep watching my blog. Who know when I might just send something sweet to a random commenter.....