Welcome Penguin Cottage Box

Happy Monday and Welcome to Penguin Cottage!  Today I am sharing my Welcome project for my new neighbor, which just also happens to be this week’s Bitten by the Bug 2 project… Two birds (penguins!!); one stone!  This week’s challenge cut was the Penguin from Jolly Holidays, but I do not have that cartridge so I used the penguin from Joys of the Season. 

I used three cartridges to create the completed box - Joys of the Season for the Penguin, Sweet Tooth Boxes for the box, and Cindy Loo for the word "Welcome".  I cut the house box so that it filled the 12 x 12 mat.  The house was much easier to assemble than many of the previous Cricut building that I have assembled.  Also, the house actually has many details that I omitted (flowers and flower boxes).   And like always, assembly instructions are available in the back of your manual!

I made it so that my penguin is actually a card which opens while still attached to the side of the house – a built in To:/From: card.   I welded two of the penguin shadow cut together to serve as the base card.  I used a light blue damask cardstock to cut the base layer of the penguin and I used a Swiss dot textured cardstock to cut the “coat”.  I covered the black cardstock with black Stickles.

I cut the word “Welcome” from Cindy Loo.  The word was cut to fit across the roof top.  The roof was cut in the same textured Swiss Dot cardstock as the penguin coat and was hand doodled in silver gel pen (my favorite white gel pen died just when I really needed it)!

I finished my Sweet Tooth box by attaching the penguin to the side and tying a fun green polka dot ribbon around the box. All I have left to do is fill the box with brownies and deliver it to my new neighbors!!

I will be at the lake this week with my scrappy girlfriends which means I will be “borrowing” Internet signal from the neighbors at the lake house. I will have several new projects to share, including an unusual bridal shower card. Hopefully everything will post.

Batman Birthday Set

We had a birthday in our family last weekend.  We celebrated my son Aaron's birthday - my son Aaron's 25th birthday!  Aaron is a fun man.  He believes that Batman is the greatest super hero ever because he is sure that Batman has something in his bat belt to take out any other super hero.   Aaron and I had a conversation going on via facebook where we were debating who was better, Batman or Superman.  I thought (apparently in error!) that Superman could take Batman.  Batman is after all a mere human where as Superman is from another planet.  Superman can fly, repel bullets, has laser vision, etc.  Just as I finished stating my case Aaron informed me that he is sure that Batman keeps Kryptonite in his utility belt just in case Superman needs taking down!   Such intellectual debate!

It matters not that Aaron is 25, I decided that Batman should be the theme of the day.  One of Aaron's gifts was Converse All-Star high top sneakers - with Batman and Gotham cartoon print fabric!  Aaron is a high school teacher so I am sure his new footwear will be a hit with his students!  As the sneakers set the theme, I decided to let Batman be apart of his other gifts.  I found a Batman gift bag at a local store and it was perfect size for the hardcover book we had for Aaron. 

Using black, navy, cream and yellow cardstock I made a Batman birthday card and envelope.  I used Design Studio and welded two Batman heads together to create the card shape.  The face and mask elements were cut to size for the card.  A skin tone Copic marker was used to color Batman's face - though I did wonder if he should have a five o'clock shadow!  The Batman font was used on the card, except for the O; I used a circle and the bat emblem for the O. 

For Aaron's smaller gift I created the 3-D Gotham box from the Batman cartridge.  The box was super easy to make, even with my one change to the pattern.  The box is supposed to close under the bat emblem, but I decided to add sticky velcro under the light beam.

Aaron LOVED his sneakers.  He also liked his other two gifts even if they were not Batman related.  He laughed at his Bat card and gift box!!  Who would have thought that Batman would be such a hit for my son's 25th birthday!!  Well, actually I guess I did.  After all, I only purchased the Batman cartridge BECAUSE of Aaron!!!

Revisiting Halloween Past

Yesterday I said there would be a surprise post today - surprising to both of us as I had no idea what I would be making.  Well, sadly what I made was a horrid headache!  The headache stole both my creative mojo and my concentration so the surprise Halloween project I am sharing is from last Halloween.

I really liked this treat box and card set.  The box is the classic matchbox style with a wrap around sleeve and a slide out box. I chose Basic Grey Halloween print paper to make the box spooky fun. I welded the spider web from Paper Doll Dress Up into an oval to make the top of the box for a spooky touch.  I also crafted an oval tag with it's cute little monster and attached the tag to the box. 

I also made a matching card to go with the box.  One of my favorite little goblins received this box (with six fun size candy bars inside) and this card.

My headache is fading so I am hopeful that as the pain goes away my creative mojo will return!  Let's hope so because I have not completed my BBTB2 project of the week yet!

BBTB2 Love Stamp Cut

I am running a bit late today on getting my BBTB2 project loaded to both the BBTB2 site and to my blog.  The challenge this week was to use the Love Stamp cut from the Sweethearts cartridge.  I made this sweet valentine which includes cuts from five different cartridge:  Sweethearts, Calligraphy, Love Struck, Easter 2010 and Tie the Knot.

I used Bazzill pink bling cardstock, smooth white cardstock, one sheet of Basic Grey Sugared cardstock and two prints from SEI's Juliette line.  I love the shimmer in the SEI paper!!!

I finished off the front of the card with Prima flowers and American Crafts ribbon.  Inside I added the phrase "Be My Valentine" from the Calligraphy cartridge.  I also cut a an extra heart from Sweethearts and sweet border from Easter 2010. 

I love this couple on Love Struck.  Speaking of Love Struck, WHAT A GREAT CARTRIDGE!!!!  I am so enjoying the 2010 seasonal mini carts.  Be sure and get your before they are gone!!

Homemade Gift for my Secret Sister

Several weeks ago I made a gift box of handmade cards for my work Secret Sister.  My Secret Sister figured out mid-year that I was her secret gifter, so I had no issues with making her a matching box and card set.  The set included several cards:  Chirstmas cards, Birthday cards, and a couple of note cards.  I felt certain that my Secret Sister would like the cards as she has had me make cards for her in the past.  (Photo at the top is, of course, the box).

I used Graphic45's Fashionista line of paper to craft the box and cards.  Here are two the Chirstmas cards:

The birthday cards:

And finally another of the note cards:

A mutual friend told me that my Secret Sister really liked her box of cards... so think about this if you need a special, yet inexpensive gift for someone.

CWTC Gift Packaging Wednesday - Guest Designer

It's Gift Packaging Wednesday at CWTC!!!  In addition to the two required cartridges, Winter Woodlands and From My Kitchen, I also used Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More to create vellum gift bags with layered label and mini card sets. 

I have always struggled with cutting vellum on my Cricut but I believe I have solved my previous issues:  I needed to use a very, very sticky mat!!!  That was all it took to cut these adorable boxes using the inch box cut on TBBM. 

To create the mini cards and labels I used tag shapes from WW and added ovals as cut outs from FMK.  I welded two of the tags together to create the base mini card.  I used additonal cuts from each of the two cartridges and finished by adding touches of Stickles. 

I finished the gift package sets off by running ribbon through holes at the top of the boxes and tied them closed with matching Christmas Ribbons. My gift bags and mini cards are all set to go under the tree or be delivered to friends!

If you have not already done so, be sure to visit Jeannie's blog, A Place for my Cards and check out her Gift Packaging Wednesday project ....  Note to self - ask Jeannie to help me with all of my holiday packaging as she is amazingly talented!!!

Monster Mash Monday Madness

Happy Monday bloggers - it's time for this week's Bitten by the Bug project. The cut this week is the CUTE, cute, CUTE little monster on Paper Doll Dress Up. This should get everyone in a Halloweeny - sort of mood!

I made a two piece gift set using Paper Doll Dress Up (of course); Tags, Bags, Boxes & More; and George. The bottom section of the box was cut using TBBM. The wrap (or jacket) was made using George. The gift box has an acetate window with a spiderweb topper. Inside the box you will find eight of the new bigger fun size candy bars loosely resting nicely. I don't know about your neighborhood kids, but my pint sized neighbors will love 8 candy bars at one stop!!!