BBTB2 - Staying Cool In the Pool

Since it's National Watermelon Day, Susan, our hostess this week at BBTB2, has selected a watermelon cut for our challenge.   You can join in our Cricut challenges by linking up your project to Bitten By the Bug 2.  Rules on the blog.

My layout includes cuts from lots of different cartridges:
Watermelon and Popsicle - Simply Charmed
Cooling Off  and Wave - Artbooking
Pool - H2O
Picnic Basket, Ants, and PICNIC - Family Album
SPLASH - Pack Your Bags

My little grandson loves the pool.  He has a sit-in floatie but sometimes I just hold him so he can splash, splash, splash!  I happened to have the camera ready when he was pretending he was Top Model of the Year.  And yes, the camera also captured a not so perfect pose of brother and sister - well that's life!  Love all the pictures and how this Coolin' Off layout came together.

BBTB2 - Shaped Dolphin Card

We are getting shaped up this week at BBTB2.  Our task is to create a shaped card.  I don't know why, but this was one of the fastest projects I've done in a while.  Maybe because it turned out just like I envisioned.  Join us at BBTB2 to link up your 'shaped birthday/other card' to our blog and enjoy the creativity.

My husband's grand-niece has just finished her first four years of college and has been accepted into vet school.  The party for her is animal themed and we have to come dressed as an animal.  Yikes, what to do about that?   She did her internship teaching dolphins in the Caribbean somewhere so I thought to use this cute dolphin from "Whales and Dolphins", adding the Way to Go from "3 Birds on Parade" and the graduation hat from "Recess".  I just glued it at the top and had a card.  I really like how it turned out and think I'll make some more shaped cards.

BBTB2 - Summertime means Pool Time

We recently put in a gazebo in the backyard next to the pool.  There is a seating area with tan cushions.  I am decorating a little bit with turquoise accents.   When I saw this tray at Walmart. it was calling my name and it wanted to be decorated.   I love the split initial projects that are popular right now and used a file created by Narelle  on Cricut Lovers Guide to Design Space to create my project for BBTB2 this week.  Let me tell you, I had to cut this more than once from white vinyl.  When weeding the negative space, the waste stuck to the good parts and it was impossible to 'unstick' the two.  Since the lines are so thin I had a hard time separating the keeper from the waste.  However, the end result is positive!

Our theme, hosted by Sharon, is to create a card or project that has anything to do with water or swimming.   I'll use my tray to carry out dinner to the gazebo on those nights when it's too hot to eat indoors.  I love this tray and plan on making one for my sister and sister-in-law.  Link up your summer pool Cricut projects to our BBTB2 blog this week. Yes the gladiolas are from my yard.  Stay cool!

BBTB - Take a Hike Layout

It's hot here in Northern California this past week.  We all stayed by the fan or in the pool when it was over 100 degrees.  And wouldn't you know my A/C has decided to freeze up in the worst way.  It's 31 years old, so guess it's time for a new one.   A few weeks ago we went up to our ski club on Donner Summit (about an hour from Lake Tahoe) with my family.  The weather was perfect for hiking and exploring.   My granddaughter was quite the trooper and enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors and being the 'leader' of our hikes. And the little guy was comfy in the backpack, sleeping most of the time! 

Our challenge this week at BBTB2 is being hosted by Pam of http://stamperatheart.blogspot.com/.  Since we need some shade during these summer days, she wants us to use a tree in our design.    Since we were up in the mountains with lots of pine trees and wildflowers, I thought my layout was perfect for the challenge. Tree scene from Outdoor Man, compass and 'Take a Hike' frame from Camping Critters (altered for photo addition), and boot from Camp Out.   I would love for you to join us at BBTB2 and submit your 'summer tree' card, layout or project.  Enjoy!