Birthday Cake Card for BBTB2

Happy Monday and happy Memorial Day to those in the USA.  You may have arrived here from fabulous Theresa's blog if you are following the monthly Bitten by the Bug 2 blog hop.  If you are just dropping by, continue on the blog hop when you leave my blog - after you enter the BLOG CANDY giveaway.  This week's challenge cut at Bitten by the Bug 2 is  the birthday cake from the Celebrations cartridge.  I love this birthday cake - it is one of my favorite cake cuts.  And even though there are newer birthday cartridges, I still love this "go to" original Cricut birthday cartridge!

I designed my card in Cricut Design Studio, welding two of the cake shadow cuts to create the base card and cut the card in aqua Bazzill cardstock.  I used the Hide Select Contour feature and removed the cut space inside the tray legs on the the shadow, creating a solid, one piece shadow cut.  Using Imaginisce B-day Bash line I cut a base layer in chocolate birthday candle cardstock.  I build the rest of the cake on the chocoate birthday candle layer.

The top layers of the cake was created in three layers: back layer in lime green Core'dination cardstock, main cake layer in Imaginisce B-day Bash cardstock, and gold tray layer cut in metallic cardstock.  After affixing the three laters together I tied a length of red Imaginisce ribbon around the cake and added the Happy Birthday phase (cut from the Batman cartridge) to the front of the cake.  I then used pop dots and attached the cake to the base card.

I cut the background cake layer in smooth white cardstock and affixed it inside the card and added another Happy Birthday cut.  This is the perfect surface the shape on which to write a personal birthday message.
To finish the front of the card I added two of the three candles from the cake cut.  I also added an Imaginisce cardstock embellishment birthday cake to the top of the cricut cake - turning my cake into a four tiered cake!!  The cake was then blinged out with various sizes of gems.

Did I mention BLOG CANDY and blog hop???  Thanks to the AMAZING CUSTOM CROPS I have wonderful blog candy to offer you!  How about a $20 gift voucher for shopping at Custom Crops???  I would love that so I bet you would too!  All you have to do to be entered into the random drawing for the blog candy is

1. Be a follower of this blog, and

2. Leave a comment under this post.  

I will be posting the winner on Thursday.

When you finish the blog hop you may want to hop by Custom Crops and check out all of their new in stock items.  You may also be interested in their DVD, Cricut for Beginners, a wonderful DVD which teaches you to use all of the features on your Cricut.

Now that you have enjoyed (??) my blog post, you have become a blog follower, left your comment below and taken note of the Custom Crops it is time to continue on to the next stop on the blog hop.  You are off to see the lovely Penny of PenniAnnie's. Enjoy the rest of the blog hop and if you have not already done so, please drop by Bitten by the Bug 2 look at all of the design team projects.

Graduation Layout for Shelby's Scrapbook

Today I have a quick layout to share with you.  These are the final two pages in Shelby's scrapbook, which will be filled in later with photos from her graduation.  Shelby's school colors are royal blue and white, but as anyone who tries to purchase graduation cardstock knows, most of the scrapping products are black and white, gray and white, or silver and white.  I had a few pieces of graduation paper and cardstock leftover from Ian's senior year scrapbook so I shared with Michelle. 

To the basic gray, black and white graduation colors we added royal blue and white embellishments.  We used two cartridges to cut the Cricut elements on these two pages - Calligraphy for the phrase "Graduation 2011" and Everyday Paper Dolls for the graduation cap.  Both Happy Graduation and grad caps appear on a number of other cartridges, I simply chose these two because I like them.  But if you do not have either of these cartridges do not worry, similar cuts can be found on several other cartridges.

I added floral swirl die cuts to each page - cutting in half a large flower to use half on each page.  The die cut is one that I have had for a while - the last of a series of die cut flowers I purchased a few years ago at Convention.

I added a few rub-ons to the pages - See the "So happy" embellishment above and the phrase "Celebrate You" on the last photo.  I also created a layered blue and white flower to add a bit of girliness to the page!!

Here is a final look a the two pages.  Click on the photos to see them larger.

I will be back tomorrow with one more graduation project to share.  I hope you have a great Friday!

Piano Recital Layout with Quarter Note

I had such a nice time yesterday.  Michelle came over and we worked on her daughter Shelby's scrapbook.  Michelle was very close to being finished with the scrapbook, just six pages to go, which is great since she has to present the book to Shelby on Thursday night (as in - TOMORROW)!  Shelby attends a private school and the parents were asked to present their students a scrap/memory book at graduation.  I was able to help Michelle a great deal, as she was not really a scrapper.  The good news?  Well other than Shelby's book is finished - Michelle is a scrapper convert!!  She is purchasing a Cricut Expression, wants a Gypsy, and is planning to attend the CK Scrapbooking convention that Kathy, Suzanne, Pat and I attend each August!!  Whoo-hoo!!

I wanted to share this layout of Shelby's first piano recital (which also includes a photo of Shelby at her last piano recital!).  This was the first time I had used the Quarter Note cartridge.  I asked for this cartridge for a couple of years before it became a reality.  Ironically, I no longer needed it as much as I had when I was scrapping years of Marching Band photos!  But as I had begged for the music/band cartridge, I HAD to purchase the cartridge.

Quarter Note does NOT disappoint. In addition to a music note alphabet (see the welded letters below) there are a lot of music words, instruments, and symbols.  I am very happy with the cartridge, I only wish I had more opportunity to use the music cuts!

I will try to remember to photograph the other two layouts we made yesterday when I see Michelle to put the finishing touches on the book.  I am very proud of the work she has done on Shelby's book and very excited that she has embraced my favorite hobby!!!

Just Like Dad Father's Day Card - aka My 1st E2 Project

Yes, yes, you read that correctly - this is my first project with my E2!!!  I cut these two cut little dogs using one of the preloaded cartridges - Cricut American Alphabet.  In addition to a classic alphabet, the cartridge has other cute cuts.  Truly I had no idea what I was going to do with the pooches when I cut them, I was simply looking for a simple layered cut to test drive the machine.

I thought the dog was cut, but having no real plan I decided to cut it in two different sizes.  After assembling the layers and sitting the dogs side by side I thought they looked like a dad and his son, hence the father's day card idea. 

I used a Stampin' Up stamp for the sentiment.  I stamped the image on the card front, then I stamped it on a scrap of the same dotted cardstock and layered it over the flat stamp.  I used pop dots for the stamped sentiment as well as the two dogs.

I have a huge learning curve with the E2, but that is simply because I am soooo spoiled with my Cricut Design Studio software.  If the Cricut Craft Room doesn't add E2 and Imagine soon I may be forced to learn to really use my Gypsy.  Okay, I actually know how to use my gypsy, I simply prefer DS. 

Before I close, I do have a word or two to share about the E2.  I love the smooth sound and even cuts.  I love the guides for loading the mat!  I like so many of the features, I have a feeling that my Expression 2 and I are just starting a long, long love affair!!!!

Not Your Typical Sympathy Card

Hello everyone. I have to tell you, I have really debated with myself about posting this card. I really like how the card turned out, but I made this sympathy card for a friend and I did not want her to think I was exploiting her card or loss.
My friend Toby is an amazing woman, mother, teacher, wife, friend, and an incredible daughter. Toby's mother became ill and Toby refused to put her into a nursing home, but instead turned her own life upside down in order to care for her beloved mother. Her mother had been a pillar in Toby's life and Toby became a pillar for her mother. Toby is an example of what we should all aspire to become - completely devoted to those whom we love. I know that I have learned greatly from her example.

Toby's mother recently passed on to her eternal life and I wanted a pretty card for Toby. Toby loves dimension on cards - she is very tactile and likes touching the layers. I chose this card cut from the Cricut Circle exclusive French Manor cartridge especially for Toby. I knew she would be able to touch the flower cut over and over again. I cut the base card, then resized and cut the top layer to add dimension. I added foldered flowers over the cut flower, again for dimension as well as for additional color.

Inside the card I used an old-school wooden stamp to add a verse of scripture..... Toby lives her faith better than anyone I know so I thought she might I appreciate this reminder from Isaiah.

I know that most sympathy cards are not rosy pink with flowers and a bow, but for this lovely friend, "pretty" was perfect.

Soaring with Florals Embellished & BBTB2

Happy Monday!  I hope this Monday morning finds all of our Midwestern Cricut friends safe and sound.... The weather channel and news channels covered some horrid storms and tornadoes though the middle of the US last night.  That is especially horrid in those areas already suffering though flooding.  I hope that everyone is well.

My friend and design team sister, the incomparable Donna Mundinger, selected the challenge cut this week at Bitten by the Bug 2.  Donna selected this lovely bird from the new-ish Florals Embellished cartridge.  I must say, Hello Kitty and the Disney cartridges have nothing on this bird!  There were A LOT of cuts to assemble for this bird!

First, I have a story to share with you about the Florals Embellished cartridge.  Back in March when I attended the Cricut Circle Crop in Atlanta I actually won this cartridge.  Madge, the fabulous crafter sitting to my right, won a screen for the Yudu Card Shop, but did not have a card shop machine.  Later in the crop I won a Yudu Card Shop.  Madge was a honey and gave me her screen.  I, of course, immediately gave her my Florals Embellished cartridge so that we both had prizes.  I did not tell Madge, until now(!) , that I really coveted that cartridge. 

A few weeks ago when I found out that Donna had selected to use the Florals Embellished cartridge, I immediately searched my usual cartridge sources for the best price on FE.  I found a good price and purchased the cartridge - and I am quite pleased that I did so.  I think this cartridge is going to be fun.

I used four cartridge to create this card: Just Because Cards (base card), Florals Embellished (bird and medallion), Plantin Schoolbook (a welded rectangle), and Martha Stewart Elegant Art (the border on the lower front of the card).  Using design studio I welded a rectangle to one end of my base card and a MS border to the other end.  I made sure that the rectangle and border were the same height/width, that way the center score line on the card remained the same.  I cut the base card in white cardstock, and then I cut the card front only in Basic Grey cardstock. 

I think I am going to love my MS Elegant Cake Art cartridge.  The cartridge has a lot of MS border cuts and different shaped edged mats.  Using your Gypsy, Cricut Craft Room, or DS you can resize and weld the border cuts to your cards or layouts.  Think of all of the MS border possibilities that this cartridge provides.  I feel like even though I may have paid $40 for the cartridge, I saved a mint in MS punch costs!

I layered the bird onto the medallion with pop dot, and I also layered the medallion onto the card with pop dots.  I used Stampin' Up ribbon without a bow.  I like the texture and the color of the ribbon, but a bow would have distracted from the bird.

I finished the card by adding doodle dots to the bird and medallion.  I also added the "post card" scrap and the thin strip of cardstock to the lower front of the card.

My goal for this week is to learn to use my new E2 Cricut machine with both regular and Imagine cartridges.  I will keep you posted on my progress!

Please do take a few minutes and pop over to BBTB2 and check out the teams' projects.   And remember, we would love it if you should decide to play along with us!!

Wootin' Cute Card Box with Forever Young & Kate's ABC's

Hey there!  This is one of my favorite Saturdays of each month - it is my day as the Saturday Designer at  Everyday Cricut.  I created a card box by altering a purse from Forever Young.  I cut tags to use as mats from Sentimentals. I cute this cute owl scene from Kate's ABC's.  And the flowers were from Forever Young. 

For more information on how I made this box and the decorative cuts please head over to Everyday Cricut.  You will also find out a little something about MFK (my friend Kathy).... I just hope that she is okay with me sharing this story. 

I will be back on Monday with another BBTB2 project to share with you!!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Blessings Card with Ornamental Iron & Cindy Loo

I have been spending my days at home lately so I have no reason to feel like "Thank Goodness It's Friday" (TGIF), but I do!  This has just been one of those weeks where no less than three mornings I was convinced it was Saturday... Then I fully woke up!  Seriously. 

I made this Blessings card back on Monday, but I am just now getting it posted.  I used three cartridges - Just Because Cards, Cindy Loo (for the word Blessings) and Ornamental Iron (the frame).  I had intended this to be a sympathy card, but I realized given my color choices it would be a wonderful first communion card, Christening card, etc. 

I wanted to give you a close up of the Ornamental Iron frame.  This is just one layer of a multi-layer cut, but it works so well well as a decorative frame.  I used a muted color printed cardstock behind the frame and matted both on lime green cardstock. 

I used three different flowers and a brad to create the floral embellishment.

I ran the ribbon under the lime green layer, around the top layer of the card and tied the ends into a simple square knot.  I thought my edges were too small for a bow - though I usually prefer a bow!

I stamped a simple phrase inside the card using my Theresa Collins phrase stamps.  The phase is stamped on white cardstock, matted on a pink print and adhered to the inside of the card. 

I will be back tomorrow with a new project to share - it will be the third Saturday of the month and that means it is my day on Everyday Cricut (love Joy and Melanie and their site)!!

It's Here - It's Here

On Wednesday morning MFK (my friend Kathy) called and we were having an A.M. chat when suddenly my dog, Duncan the Wonder Dog, went crazy barking!!  I should tell you that Duncan goes crazy barking when the mail lady is on our street, when the UPS truck is in the neighborhood, when the kids across the street are out playing without him, when the lawn service guy comes to treat the lawn, when someone is out walking a dog, or when someone comes to the door.  He does, however, have a "special-crazy" level of intensity for delivery people to our house.  As I was "chatting it up" with Kathy, I recognized the "special-crazy" barking, heard the doorbell ring, and strolled past crazy dog to the front door.  And what did I spy outside my front door?  A big box from Cricut!!!!

"Oooh, Kathy!  My E2 is here!!", I screeched into the phone.  Kathy is such a good person, she did not say a word as I most certainly burst her eardrum!  Well we decided right then and there that Kathy HAD to come over, because let's be honest, Cricut packs these boxes so that four arms are required for easy product unpacking!

While awaiting Kathy's arrival, I moved the box into the house.  However, Duncan thought HE should open the box.  In the last few months Duncan has decided that all packages delivered to our house are for him.  He tries to open all boxes, lays on smaller packages, and grumps, growls and fusses when we take the package away from him.  I put the E2 box up on a desk to keep Duncan from ripping the box open.

After opening the E2 and visiting with Kathy, I put the new Expression 2 on my Cricut desk.  It just fits between the Imagine and original Expression machines! 

In the photo below you can see Duncan in the Cricut shipping box.  He carried on about the box when Kathy arrived she suggested putting him inside the box.  I approved her suggestion and she placed him inside the box.  It was funny - he relaxed and looked quite happy, though even when he wanted out he would not jump out.  He patiently waited for Kathy to lift him out.  I think she may have found a way for us to break him of his package attacks - give him a timeout inside a box!!!

Toy Story's Woody Birthday Card

Hey there cowpokes!  I have a rootin' tootin' third birthday card for Carter, my adorable nephew to share with you today.  Carter really likes his rocking horse and his cowboy hat, not to mention his addiction to Toy Story, so this card is perfect for him.

Some of you may recall that when I made a Woody layout for Carter's scrapbook I forgot to look at the photo of Woody and I "sort-of" dressed him in his laundry day outfit.  I got it together this time and checked the photo before cutting.  My only edit was to change his shirt from yellow plaid to yellow with dots.  

My issue with this particular Woody, other than all of those teeny-tiny pieces, is the make up job.  I hope Carter understands that Aunt Susan was a bit heavy handed with Woody's stage make up!

I chose a few coordinating pieces of cardstock from my scraps to use a layered embellishments.  I added brads to the center of the design on the brown print.  I used a Stampin' Up happy birthday stamp on the aqua wood grain cardstock.

Inside the card I used Theresa Collins phrase/word stamps that came in a three sheet set from HSN.  I love this set because it has so many useful words and phrases for so many occasions.

I have completed a 12x12 scrapbook full of fun layouts and cute Carter photos to send for Carter's birthday party later this week.  I had forgotten how fun it is to scrap for a younger child.  Alas, maybe someday I will have grandchildren to scrap for!!

FAB Sunglasses and Purse with Forever Young

Happy Monday! I am so excited to share today's Bitten by the Bug 2 project with you! Our team leader, Heather, selected this week's challenge cut - the sunglasses from Forever Young. I LOVE the sunglasses and other fun cuts on Forever Young!! I also love all of the 3D purse options on FY! So sunglasses and purses were the perfect companions for today's project.


I began with a large purse, 9 inches tall (about 16 inches wide). I cut the purse in double sided cardstock, polka dot side facing out. Using George and Basic Shapes, I welded a circle and oval to create the front panel of the purse and I cut the panel twice in this fun pink, green and aqua print.

I used lime green cat's eye chalk to "ink" the edges of the front panels as well as the tiny gingham trim pieces (also "build" in George to fit the base purse).

I cut the sunglasses in three layers, the icon cut in hot pink, the shadow cut in a green polka dot, and the dark lime glass lens.  I used A LOT of pink punch Stickles on the glasses frames - I wanted for the frames to appear to be made of sparkling pink plastic!  I finished the glasses with dark brown dots on the lens and a touch of red stickles in the flower cutouts on the corners.

I created hybrid flowers for the purse, again using cuts available on Forever Young.  Cut the flower as it appeared on the cartridge EXCEPT, I cut four of the largest layer of petals.  I then folded the four flowers into quarters and created flowers very similar to the 3D Mother's Day flowers from Cricut.  The only difference is that this flower already had leaves attached.   I used the same green cardstock for the shadow cut as I used for the glass lens.  I used polka dot for the icon cut, a double sided hot pink cardstock for the larger folded petals, bright pink and white for the middle size petal layer, and yellow for the tiny flower centers.  I finished the flowers with two tiny button centers - just like the original Cricut flowers.  These flowers are SOOO easy to make and look so cute.

I attached one of the flowers to the closure on the purse and used pop dots to "hang" the sunglasses on to the edge of the purse.  I also used pop dots to attach the second flower to the lower left corner of the purse.

To embellish the front of the purse I cut two strips of coordinating paper - the same tiny gingham that was used on the upper trim, and the reverse side - an Argyll print.  I glued the two strips to the lower front of the purse and then added the flower.  Finally, as I was putting away the Making Memories paper set that was used to make this project, I found this fun LAUGH cardstock sticker and I knew it would be the perfect finishing touch!! 

Thanks for popping by today.  Please do go over to BBTB2 and check out everyone's projects.  SOOO cute this week!!!