BBTB2: Cricut - Is it Frosty the Snowman?

 It's not really Frosty, but this layered snowman has just as much fun personality.   This is my first take on making a layered 'mandala-type' die cut.  It is not hard, however, it took me a while to assemble.  It takes a bit to cut the foam adhesive so skinny as to not show between the layers.   This cute guy is about 8 inches tall, I wouldn't suggest making it any smaller.

You can find several free SVG files at ginaccreates.com.

 You still have a few weeks to link up your Cricut created card, layout or project to Bitten by the Bug2.  Our Christmas challenge is still going strong, we are on our 2nd Linky, the first one filled up.

 Happy Holidays Everyone    

BBTB2: Cricut - Polar Express Train Layout

 My grandson loves trains, he has a few sets, including this one he got for Christmas last year.  I have had this layout saved in my mind for a few years, and had an example from Pat Johnson who designed the original years ago.  Her train, which I used, is made from Basic Shapes.  The original design is pictured at the bottom of this post.  I finally got around to making it, only 11 months after Christmas!  

The layout fits in nicely with our challenge for the next 4 weeks - Wrap It Up.  The stacked gifts are for journaling and I also added gifts on the train car.  Used print and cut to write Polar Express 2019 on the train engine.  This was a fun layout to make. We are partnering with the Double Trouble blog, so the rules are a little different.  Go on over to the Bitten by the Bug2 blog for all the information.  Have a great holiday everyone!

Here is the original inspiration:

BBTB2: Cricut - Coffee Makes Everything Possible

 In the 7 or so years that I have been with Bitten by the Bug2, we have never done a coffee challenge that I can recall..  This new challenge called "anything you can make that has coffee, hot chocolate or tea".  I tried a new technique on my simple card for the challenge.  However, our designers work this week is spectacular, so go on over to Bitten by the Bug2 to enjoy the artwork and link up your own coffee/hot chocolate/tea project or card HERE.

I used the image set of "All You Need is Coffee" for all my images except the free square shape.  I took an Italian coffee pot and duplicated several times, and re-positioned them in a rectangle.  I then changed the color and flattened the image, and then did a print through my Explore using the best printing option.  My brown title is just a print and cut with a rectangle around it.  The cup of coffee is done with a draw function and a skinny marker pen I have, cut by hand, then inked.  All edges and mats were inked, I added a ribbon, and a cute coffee card was done!!

BBTB2: Cricut - Happy Biker Dudes

Biker Dudes  - I should have made the title on this layout something different - but didn't have the inspiration until it was done.  This is half of a layout shared by Jessica Rielly on Build-A-Book Scrapbooks group on Facebook.  She used to provide her great layouts for free, but now all her creations are via Patreon.  

 My grandkids are learning to ride dirt bikes from their dad and uncle.  These pictures of them are when they were camping this summer.  I just love the one of my grandson against the flame of the fire.

Our theme for the Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks is "Sports".  You probably thought I would post a football layout - but with not being able to go to the games this year, I'm not taking pictures and just not feeling enthused about our SF 49ers. Link up your Sports related card or project to Bitten by the Bug2 HERE.

Image Sets:

Font:  Cricut Sans

Motorcycle:  Dude

Tree:  We Whisk you a Merry Christmas

 

Here is Jessicas original file. 

Cricut: BBTB2 - It's Pumpkin Pickin' Time

 My grandkids now live on a 2.5 acre plot with a nice home in northern California.  On our first visit we saw deer, quail, and turkeys.  So, I decided to incorporate them into my layout that will contain pictures of their new property.  I got this layout from a creation by Sherri Beyrer, who posted it on the Scrappytodoit with my cricut Facebook group.  She used an owl where I have the deer and turkey. It doesn't have photo mats yet, as I haven't decided on my picture layout, so I did not glue down the leaves or single banner.  I think the photos will pop against that turquoise wood background.

 

Truck:  Red Truck Collection

Pumpkins:  Everyday is a Holiday

Corn:  Just Because

Deer:  Happy Woodland Animals

Turkey:  Wildlife

Quail:  Noah's ABCs 

 

 

 

BBTB2: Cricut - Beware of Frankenstein

 Here's a spooky and scary post.  I just love this BEWARE image from the Autumn Celebrations cartridge.  It's my entry for the Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks.  Our theme is HALLOWEEN.   Come on over and check out the designers and then again later in the week to see what others have linked up.  You can link up using your Instagram, Pinterest, blog, or other accounts.

This vinyl was not very easy to get out all the lumps and bumps.  I did the best I could, but with the big uneven ridges of the pumpkin, well, it is just what it is.   Hope it lasts a few years, as it is striking when you come up to the front door.  

BBTB2: Cricut - The Cool Guy Shirt

My grandson is named Dean, so for his first birthday, I made a shirt for him featuring James Dean.  Now he is ready for pre-school, and I thought a new "Cool Guy James Dean" shirt was just the thing.  I used the same image I created a few years back, just changing the size of the image.   Don't you wish Cricut would come out with a way to quickly search all our files?  Hugghh.

I am also sharing a bib I whipped up for my new grand-niece.  I wanted to create something with her name on it, and this was any easy project.  Who doesn't love ladybugs?

Join in the fun at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next two weeks, where you can join in the challenge of "Life in 3D".  The team has created some amazing projects for your viewing.  Let's see what you create.

BBTB2: Cricut - Watermelons are for Summer Fun

The next two week's theme at the Bitten by the Bug2 Blog is "Anything Goes with a Watermelon".  We are in the middle of a week long 100 degree+ summer heat ware and ice cold watermelon sure sounds good right now.  Last night we had an  unusual lightening and thunderstorm come through that started fires in the hills.  That just doesn't happen often in the San Francisco area.  

This layout has so many layers, but was really easy to put together because it's just a few basic colors.  All I have to do is add black mats and some summertime pictures.

You can join us at Bitten by the Bug2 for our 'watermelon" challenge by linking your project to our LINKY on the blog.

 Image Sets:

Watermelon and Banner:  Miss Kate's Cuttables - Chill Out
Background Scallop:  Folk Art Festival

My layout was designed by Terry Newman of "Scrappytodoit with my cricut" on Facebook.  Love her designs, and it's fun to just do the making and not have to worry about design details.  

BBTB2: Cricut - Pool Party All Summer Long

We love our pool, and so do the grandkids.  They would spend every minute of the day in the pool if I let them.  The 3 year old is learning to swim, he is a little too confident though and thinks he doesn't needs his floaties, so we are working on  jumping off the side and swimming to the edge.  I have lots of pool pictures, so there are many more layouts to make this summer.

Are you enjoying your COVID summer?  No vacations for us, just staying home for the most part.  Show me what your summer is like by joining our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge which is "Summer Fun".  You can link up your Cricut based project HERE.

Here is my inspiration for this layout.  I really liked the unique characters - different from all other Cricut images.   I didn't need surfboards, so I cut a beach ball and duck floatie.  I changed out the title for a Pool Party from Miss Kates in Design Space.

The inspirations came from Terri Newman, who has a Facebook group called Scrappytodoit with my Cricut.  She posts a lot of fun layouts and holds online FB classes to assemble the layouts.

BBTB2: Cricut - Pooh and Friends Framed Picture

It's so fun when I get to use my Cricut to create Disney related projects.  Today, I am sharing a framed picture I made for my niece (my nephew's wife) who is having a baby soon.  Her theme for the baby's room is Winnie the Pooh.  So I have been creating lots of Pooh items with my Cricut.  A baby girl album with Pooh images on the cover and pages, cards for her to send using Pooh stamps, and of course a Pooh card for the baby shower.    My sister asked if I could make a picture based on something she saw on Pinterest.  I said "piece of cake for this one".  It was supposed to be a table decoration at the shower and then given to the mom to be for baby's room.  Well,, the shower was cancelled due to COVID-19, so I'm waiting to give it to her in person.

We are having a challenge for the next two weeks at Bitten by the Bug2 and it is "Cute Critters".  I think this definitely qualifies.  Pooh is so fun to make and pretty easy.  Join up with your 'critter' related card, layout, or project on our blog - Bitten by the Bug2 - HERE.

Image sets:
Characters and tree:  Pooh and Friends
Lettering:  Mickey font
Grass:  Everyday Paper Dolls
Inking around the edges
Frame - 12" x 12" from Walmart

Here is the original Pinterest inspiration.

BBTB2: Cricut - All Star 4th of July

Let the fireworks begin..... It's an All- Star 4th of July Weekend!  Here is how I am going to document the occasion, with a star studded layout!   Thank you to Anthadene Endemann, of the Facebook Group "Scrappytodoit with my Cricut".

Here is the link:  https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/5eed01e149aad608143baa36

Join in the challenge over at Bitten by the Bug2 starting on Monday July 6th, for the next two weeks,  You must use 3 different sized stars in your entry.  Use Pinterest, Instagram, your blog, or Facebook to link up your project.  Here is the link to Bitten by the Bug2.

Cartridges:
All Star:  This and That
Stars:  Basic Shapes
Big Star:  This and That

BBTB2: Cricut Sun Kissed Summer

This was the cutest layout to cut and assemble, I keep saying "ya can't go wrong with Miss Kate Cuttables designs.  I  love the brightness of it, and it was pretty simple to make since I am not the one who designed it.  It was designed by Anthadene Endemann, who regularly posts her layouts on "Scrappytodoit with my cricut" on Facebook.  My version is similar with a few less triangles.

Our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks is "Summer Sun".  You can join in the challenge from the Bitten by the Bug2 blog and also look at the design teams take on the challenge.

All the big cuts use Miss Kate Cuttables images found in Design Space.  The link to the layout is in the picture with the original design.  Thank you Anthadene.

BBTB2: Cricut - Cheers to 30 Wonderful Years

Our friends recently celebrated 30 years of marriage and had a nice dinner with all the wedding party to celebrate.  I had to make a card in their color (pink) to celebrate the event.  At the last minute, I decided to make a pair of coffee mugs for them, as they are not so much wine drinkers.  I put their names on the other side of the mug.  It was cute and they called to say they had coffee on the morning of their actual anniversary with these mugs.

Our theme at Bitten by the Bug2 this week for our challenge is "Wedding or Anniversary".  I usually wait to make the card to match the personality of the couple, using their colors or hobbies, etc.  You can link up to our challenge by clicking HERE.  Looking forward to seeing lots of creations for this one.

Card background:  Valentines Card 18
Anniversary:  Something to Remember
Cheers:  Here to Cheer
Stickles
fonts in Design Space

BBTB2: Cricut - Military Salute to my Son-in-Law

It's a Memorial Day salute to all military personnel over at Bitten by the Bug2 for our two week challenge.  There are some pretty cool creations by the design team that we are sharing today.  You can link up your Cricut made 'military' themed card or project HERE.  We choose a winner at the end of the two week challenge.

My son-in-law was a Marine for 4 years with two tours of duty to the middle east.  He is still in contact after 10+ years with his Marine buddies and has gone to visit many of them in the last few years.  I sometimes give him military related cards for his birthday which falls around Memorial Day or for Father's Day.  This one will be for his birthday this year.

The soldier is cut twice, once as a background shadow in a darker color.  I duplicated the tank, flipped it upside down and horizontal, and welded it at the top.  Cut the single tank again in white for the back inside of the card.

Image Sets:
Soldier and tank:  Military Silhouettes
Flag:  Summer Celebrations
Ink pens - hand-drawn

Cricut: Graduation Card

I made another graduation card for a cousin who is graduating high school.  I won't get to see him since he lives in Alaska, but I did see some great senior pictures on his announcement.

This card was made with Oxide Inks on white paper.  I've had it in my scrap bin for a while.  I then used the Cricut to cut the card face.  Inside I used the cut hat as a decoration.

The image set is Cricut's 'Graduation Quick Cut Cards'.  It comes with a properly sized envelope to cut too.  It was quick and easy.

BBTB2: Cricut: For the Pre-School Graduate

It's time for the next challenge at Bitten by the Bug2.  The challenge is "graduation". Link up your graduation project to the Bitten by the Bug2 Blog HERE. 

My grandson would have graduated from pre-school at the end of May, however, his school year was cut short by three months.  My daughter has been home-schooling, which I think now involves a lot of PE and arts and crafts.  The kids are just really done with the stay at home order.

This card looks so simple, but looks deceive.  There are at least 8 layers to the owl, that doesn't include a few that I didn't even use!  This design is so cute, but the layers on the card could have been designed better for Cricut cutting and layering.  For Example, the yellow on the beak and toes, would normally be little cuts to adhere on top of the base.  In this case, the yellow is a full silhouette of the entire owl, adding an additional layer to the entire cut.  It did turn out pretty cute, and I do like the images on that image set.  The preschool and grad cuts were images from two different sets that I added to a rectangular background.  Isn't that abacus background paper just perfect?

Image Sets:

Pre-school: Back to School

Grad: Glad to be a Grad

Owl: DJ Inkers - Congrats Grad

BBTB2: Cricut - Beautiful Dancer

There are a few ladies I follow on Facebook that create layouts almost daily.  I sometimes save them off to Design Space thinking I'll use them for my own layouts.  With COVID-19 keeping me indoors, I've had more time to craft and actually made some of those lovely designs.  Here is a layout by Anthadene Endemann, who posts in the 'Scrappytodoit with my cricut' FB page.  Her original layout design is below.

I could have used any number of pictures for the layout, but choose to use one of my granddaughter's dance recital pictures.  I changed up the original layout a bit to add space for another picture or in this case, journaling.  The 'beautiful' title was a welded image and I don't know the font.  The flowers are from Quarter Note, and hexigons are from Basic Shapes.  I added Stickles and Washi tape.

Join us at Bitten by the Bug2 for our two week challenge, "Flowers".  I think there are millions of flowers in Design Space to choose from.  Use your blog, Instagram, Pinterest or Flicker account to link up your design HERE.

Here is the original design before I changed it up a bit.

BBTB2: Cricut - A Day at the Park Layout

This project was a gift for a very special little boy.  I have been sitting for his family for the past 3 years.  He and his brother love to go to the park and play, so for his birthday I made this layout in a frame for him.  The pictures turned out really nice, as the lighting was casting great half shadows, and I actually got him to look and smile at the camera.  I am, of course, going to make this layout again for my grandkids.

I am hosting the challenge for the next two weeks at Bitten by the Bug2.  Our theme is "Let's Get Outdoors".  I picked the theme long before we knew of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but we can dream of the not to distant future when we can get out again.  My inspiration was to showcase how we scrap or create outdoor activities!  Your entry to our challenge can be anything related to outdoors, i.e., camping, gardening, flowers, hiking, spring skiing, or washing the car!  Use your Pinterest, Instagram, or blog to link up to the challenge HERE.

Playground:  Fast Food
Boy on Slide:  Recess
Free Circle
Grass: Paper Doll Dress Up
A Day at the Park:  Family Album
Sun: Create a Critter
Font:  Jacoby Black
Inked most edges

Cricut: Facebook Swaps - Here are my die cuts March 2020

Participating in a Cricut swap of die cuts is something I used to do years ago when we used cartridges.  I found a group on FB that does a monthly swap and I have joined several times when I have the time.  I make a certain amount of the same die cut based on a theme, send it into the hostess, and she sorts them and mails them back to me.  So, if I send in 10 (based on how many participate) die cuts of a flower, I get back 10 different flower die cuts.  Some of the ladies are very talented, and not all die cuts are from Cricut, some use another machine brand.  One of the groups is themed "mystery" so I can make any image I want, and expect anything back in return.

Here are 3 die cuts I made with my Cricut.  Can't remember where I got the Charlie Brown, the flower is from Design Space, and the baseball is a few Design Space images that I combined.

Here are two pictures of swapped die cuts that I received back.  There were mystery swaps, so the subject can be anything of the senders choosing.  Wee had just been to Disneyland, so I'm in love with those images.

There were 6 participants for the softball swap, here is the images I received.

BBTB2: Cricut - It's an Easter Celebration

I love Easter and all that goes with it.  Attending church, the dinner, and the kids hunting Easter eggs.  Crafting during this time is also fun as Cricut Design Space has added so many Easter and Spring images to scrapbook.  Today, I am presenting a box card (a 3D card that folds up and fits in a regular envelope) full of little critters ready for Easter Day.

My creation is for the Bitten by the Bug2 challenge blog, where our theme is "Easter Treat Boxes, and Bags, etc."  Let me see your creations by linking them up to our Bitten by the Bug2 blog HERE.  You have until April 12 to enter.   Happy Easter.

All images are Miss Kate Cuttables in Design Space.  Box is Anna's Window Box Cards, all images available on Design Space subscription.  I added Stickles for bling.

BBTB2: Cricut - My Sprintime Love is You

My daffodils are done blooming early because we went the whole month of February without rain.  Boo-hoo. Usually, I have daffodils in my St. Patrick's Day vases.  However, we are fully in to spring around here.  The buds are on the hydrangeas, my hibiscus survived the winter, and I just got a new 7 ft. Majesty Palm at Costco for $29 that needs to be replanted.  Not to mention the weeds and prep for my veggie garden.  Lots to do, I need an extra pair of hands.

I love this picture of my granddaughter from over a year ago, I've showcased it as a 12x12 picture in a frame on BBTB2 before.  However, I couldn't resist making it into a scrapbook page to give her for her scrapbook as well.  I found a nice background paper to match the purple flower I had created for a swap (15 of them, saving a few for me).

The theme for the next two weeks at Bitten by the Bug2 is "Spring Equinox".  We have hooked up with the Double Trouble Blog for our challenge, that means twice the fun and inspiration.  You can link up your Spring themed project using any die cut machine HERE.  See the Bitten by the Bug2 blog for more details.

Heart:  Heart to Heart
Springtime:  Create A Critter 2
Love:  Paper Pups
Flower:  Anna's Soiree Lettering
Stickles

Here is a closeup of the flower.  I used two colors of Stickles on the petals to add dimension.  So pretty in real life.

Superbowl 49er Shirts

Even though the outcome of the SuperBowl was not what we wanted, we are still proud of our San Francisco 49ers and the great comeback year that they had.  We have been 49er fans forever (since I started dating my husband back in the late 70's).  We had a big SuperBowl party of course, and I decided to make SuperBowl shirts to show our spirit.  

I purchased an svg from Etsy for my design and imported it into Design Space.  I worked the colors around a bit due to the color of the shirts.  I think they are the best shirts I have made so far.  I took the "weed" of the gold 49ers image and used it to make shirts for my grandsons.  Score!!!

BBTB2: Cricut - Boys Will Be Boys Framed Gift

All of my crafts for the past few months seem to be masculine related.  And today, here is another.  My daughter has a good friend having a baby in a month, so I decided to make a framed layout so she can display a photo of the little guy on the wall.   Since I like it so much, and it's already designed, I'll probably make another as a layout for my grandson's book.

I used the Boys will be Boys cartridge for the majority of the layout.  Did the tab by modifying a frame, and had my Cricut pen do the writing of the name.  I inked most of the pieces to add dimension, and it was done in a snap.

I'm showcasing this framed art today as my designer post for the Bitten By the Bug2 Challenge Blog.  Our theme for the next two weeks is "Anything Goes, Except a Card".  You can link up your entry on our Bitten by the Bug2 Blog HERE.

BBTB2: Cricut Fun Boys Layout

Got the Winter blues?  Sometimes I am ready to get into my pajamas at 6pm.  So to fight this off, I often try to stay busy in the evenings by assembling layouts or hand-sewing.  So, here I sit with a quilt on my lap, creating a scrapbook page that made me long for summer days with the grandsons. Our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next two weeks is "For the Men in our Lives".  The cutest little men in my life are my two grandsons.  They are all smiles most of the time and love to just have fun being little boys.

Join in our challenge by linking up your "Men" related Cricut created creations at Bitten by the Bug2.  And also take a look at the blog to see all the creations by our talented designers.

My two large die cut designs come from Miss Kate Cuttables.  Her designs are loads fun! (pun intended)!!

BBTB2: Cricut - Love Struck

We are no longer done with the Super Bowl (yeah - we are disappointed 49er fans and season ticket holders), and we wake up this morning and it's almost Valentines Day.  At least the red tablecloths can still be on display.

Here we are at Bitten by the Bug2 celebrating Valentines Day.  Anything Goes Valentines Day is the theme.  You can share your layout, card, or project with us by linking up to our LINKY on the blog HERE.  You just have to have an Instagram, Facebook, Blog, etc. type of account to link back to.

With inspiration from Pinterest, I designed my own card using Basic Shapes from Cricut Design Space.  For the tic, tac, toe board, I just took a square and shaped it into long rectangles.  The X, and I letters are fonts in Design Space.  The LOVE is from Love Struck, and the Hearts are from Lacey Labels.  I mounted two layers of mats and a ribbon for the finishing bling.   Happy Valentines Day!

BBTB2: Cricut - Disneyland T-shirts

I have two projects for our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next two weeks.  The theme is "something new".  It can be a new technique, item, or new paper, whatever you choose.   Here is my 2nd 'new' post, t-shirts we made for our recent trip to Disneyland.  The girls got to select what image they wanted and color of shirts.  I cut out the HTV, and the girls did the ironing and peeling.  They all turned out nice and they got to go home with a great souvenir.

Believe in Magic: Word Quotes
Mickey Balloon:  Mickey and Friends
Castle with Mickey inside:  Mickey and Friends (sliced)
Love with Mickey inside:  Mickey and Friends and ?? (I made that file 2 years ago)
Font for Disneyland 2020:  Walt from dafont.com

Link up your project, card, or layout using something "NEW" at Bitten by the Bug2 HERE.

Here are some pictures of the girls wearing their shirts:

BBTB2: Cricut - 'Let's Party Glittered Card

Do any of you attend Scrapbook Expo?  I have been to the Pleasanton, CA and Santa Clara, CA events several times.  Are you like me and spend a lot of money and then forget about the products you thought you couldn't live without?  My project for today uses something I got at Expo two years ago and never used.  I even watched lots of videos about the product but still never used it.  The product is double sticky tape that is 1 1/2" wide.   I used it for the first time to make glitter paper for my Cricut cuts.

That story leads me to our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks.  The challenge is "something new, (product, cut, technique, material, etc.)".   Link up your challenge entry HERE.  I'm glad I created the glitter paper from the double sticky tape as I hate putting glitter paper into the Cricut mat, glitter ends up everywhere and the blade dulls really fast.

I peeled off the paper and put the first sticky side of the tape onto cardstock using only enough for the size of my die cut.  I left the second side of the tape with the backing on.   I cut the image, in this case, the "let's party" and then peeled the cut off the mat.  I put the cut on a new piece of paper, peeled off the top cover.  Then I poured fine glitter over the cut, using my finger to burnish it into the cut.  It doesn't flake off like other glitter paper.  I was really happy with the results, and the brightness of the glitter is really cool.  My finished cut went onto a card for New Years 2020.

Images and Supplies:

Let's Party:  Cuttin' Up
Martini:  Cuttin' Up
Background:  Family Album
Tape:
Glitter:  from Expo
Stickles