BBTB2: Cricut - Ornaments of the Little Ones

I got two packages of plain ornaments from Hobby Lobby when the Christmas décor was 1/2 off.  I wish I would have gotten more.  Then it was off to decorate.  I measured the outside and inside of the circles and made a template on my Cricut Explore.  Cut out the circles and inked them.  Cut out a banner with the year inside of it.  Painted the edges of the ornaments so the brown edges would not show.  Glued on decorations, snow, and banner.   Each of the 12 are different, and will hold pictures of 12 friends and family.  Most are going along with presents, and one is saved for my own tree.

Join in on our last challenge of the year at Bitten by the Bug2.  Our theme is to use a number.  Most of the designers used a number relating to the holidays and football.  What ideas can you come up with?  Link up your project HERE at Bitten by the Bug2.

Merry Christmas to all.  See you in the New Year.

BBTB2: Cricut - Christmas Gift Bag for Her

What a challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 the next two weeks.  Use Pink and Gold for the holidays.  It is sure pretty in person but I had a hard time getting pink and gold onto paper.  Not to mention my Cricut decided it didn't want to cut correctly, even with a new blade.  I have some on order, but how does that help me today?  

So, for today project, I decided to go simple and have only two cuts.  A star and a title on a gift bag.  I had planned on adding quilted trees at the bottom but they would not cut.  The star I finally cut in vinyl, which always cuts smooth.  The gold is glittered but doesn't show up too well in the picture.  It is bright in real life.

Join our Pink and Gold holiday challenge at Bitten by the Bug2.  You can link up your project HERE.

Star:  Quilted Ornaments
Merry and Bright:  Artbooking
Paint and Washi tape

BBTB2: Cricut - 50th Anniversary Gift - Hurricane Lamp

Firstly, I apologize for the bad pictures.  I didn't take the time to make great pictures, as I had to wrap it and get out the door rather quickly.  However, it fits the theme of our Bitten By the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks, which is "Celebrating an Anniversary".

I had this project in mind for a long time, and was on the lookout for a large hurricane lamp at the home décor stores.  I got this one from a home stager, I am actually surprised she sold it to me.  It is about 20 inches tall.  I purchased Armor Etch for this project, I had never used it before, so was a little anxious, not wanting to ruin the lamp.  In fact, I waited too long and then had to do a rush job to get in done in time for delivery.   I do like the results, so my confidence has grown for the next project.  BTW, that Armor Etch is expensive, so use your coupon!  I watched a few YouTube videos just to ensure I knew all the tricks.

One side is the names and date they were married, and the other side says "50th Anniversary".   It's always hard to get a present for someone who has everything.  It's for my husband's brother and his wife who married very young. (and my husband was 10 years younger).

Join in the Bitten by the Bug2 challenge (by using your Cricut machine) and enter our "Celebrating an Anniversary" related card, layout or project using our LINKY.

Cartridges Used:
Free Heart
Anniversary:  I think from Heritage
Fonts:  Hathaway, Ashlyns Alphabet, Magnolia Sky (downloaded)

BBTB2: Cricut - Celebrate Fall Wall Decor

Hello Followers,

Today I have a home décor project that I am really happy to display out on my porch.  Can you believe this white board was actually a door off an old bathroom vanity?  I did have to strategically place my flowers to hide the holes from the knob and a gouge.

My flowers are mostly from Walmart (98 cents), and I had the vinyl for a few years, so this project only cost a few bucks. I spritzed the door with spray inks, but because the door is similar in texture to vinyl, the ink did not infuse.  So when it dried, I put a clear coat of sealer on top.  I edited the image from Design Space and separated the two words and sliced out the leaves from image.  The transfer to the door went smoothly and quickly.  I hot glued on the artificial flowers and a ribbon left over from a gift.

I am the hostess this week at Bitten by the Bug2, and I have selected "Fall Holidays - Anything Goes" as the theme for the next two weeks.  I would love to see what you create, you can link up your card, layout or project HERE.

also entered at Die Cutting Diva's - Anything Goes #44

Cartridge:

Fall Sweet Fall

BBTB2: Cricut - Halloween Witch's Hat Makeover

A few years ago I posted this witch's hat on the Bitten by the Bug2 Blog.  That was back before I had my Explore and just worked from cartridges.  So I decided it needed a little sprucing up.  More is better, right?  So I added the back images, sprayed it with ink, added a spider web and dangling spider and more.   It's pumpkin time at Bitten by the Bug2, and this does have a print and cut pumpkin on the back so it qualifies for the challenge for the next two weeks.  Show us your pumpkins by linking up your project HERE.

I have also added a picture of the original hat so you can see the differences.  There are too many cartridges and embellishments to name, so just have a look but don't get scared away.

Here is the original version.

BBTB2: Cricut - Girl, You Got This

I ran across some great 'girl' quotes, and picked one that I thought I would like on a layout.  It's rather a simple layout, but I wanted to focus on the sunflower.  Yes, I had to place and glue all those petals by hand.  I overlay the negative piece of the cut and insert the petals so I have the right placement. By the way, the sunflower is one of the choices on the Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks.

I usually have pictures on my layouts, but I haven't decided upon pics for this one yet.  It will either hold pictures from my veggie garden, or will have pics of my granddaughter to show how she is turning into a young lady.

Our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge is "Fall sunflowers, scarecrows, or crows".  Join our challenge and link up your card or layout HERE.

Cartridges:
Sunflower:  Life Outdoors
Title:  Girl You Got This
Vine:  Vine Flourishes
Ink and felt tip pens
gemstones

BBTB2: Cricut - Love is Becoming a Grandparent

We love all that goes with being Grandparents - well - except changing diapers.  We have three grandkids, ages 8, 4 1/2, and 2 1/2.  They keep us busy and we get to do a lot of fun things with them as they live only a few miles away.  This summer involved backyard sleepovers, lots of swimming, and Oakland Zoo trips.  There are days when we are worn out and days when we wear out the kids!  I have captured a few fun days in this layout featuring grandparents.  I am known as Momo, short for Maureen.  My husband is Italian, so he is Nonno.  

I took images from Design Space and ungrouped them, altered Grandma to Momo, and Grandpa to Nonno.  I used print and cut as it's just too hard to get good cuts on these.  The hearts, arrow, and "I love my grandkids' are all cut by my Explore.  Caroline is our hostess at Bitten by the Bug2 and she is recognizing grandparents everywhere, since September has Grandparents Day on the 7th.  Come on over and join in the fun, share your project, card or layout relating to grandparents.

Cartridges:
The Greatest Gift is Family
Worlds Greatest Grandparents
Hearts Silhouette
Car Decals
Miss Kate Cuttables - Be Mine

BBTB2: Camping in Colorado

This summer's big vacation was a RV trip to Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and Las Vegas.  It was a long one, but we had never been to Colorado and had friends we wanted to visit.  The mountains are so beautiful and there are lots of places to stop.  We took a lot of scenic pictures, here are just a few along the way.

Join our Bitten by the Bug2 challlenge for the next two weeks by linking up your card, project, or layout.  Our theme is "Get Outside challenge: BBQ, Picnics, Camping, Sports or Fireworks!".  That should cover any activity that you did this summer and want to capture.  Be sure to use your Cricut and then you can post your project HERE at Bitten by the Bug2.





I do have to give credit to Jessica Reilly for this layout.  I added some things, and deleted other things, but the basic layout (mountains, Campin' Critters) are her ideas.  Here is her original design. I found this layout by Jessica on the 'Scrappytodoit with my cricut' Facebook group.  Lots of inspiration for those who love their Cricut and scrapbooking!

BBTB2: Cricut - Happy Birthday Friend

I just love this little dragonfly, she's got the cutest google eyes and sparkly wings.  She's ready to land on a flower and wish someone special a happy birthday.   I went a little bright on the colors with this card as it is for a little lady who surely will love all the sparkle.

Our challenge for the next two weeks at Bitten by the Bug2 is "Feminine Birthday".  That's a pretty broad category, so there should be lots of exciting entries.  You can link up your card or project to our Linky at Bitten by the Bug2 HERE.

I used three cartridges for this card:  Thoughts and Phrases, Hot Summer Days, and Cindy Loo.  Then I used Stickles, inks, and gems to finish it off

BBTB2: Cricut - Baby Shark, Do Do Do Do

I love the Baby Shark Song.  I sing it to all the little ones when we are taking baths or in the pool.  I just had to incorporate this song into a layout.  This week at Bitten by the Bug2 we have a theme of  "It's The Beach Life".  We recently went to a local public park with a man made lake and beach, my little guy loved playing in the sand and pretending to swim.  I took several pictures but getting good ones of a two year old is difficult.  I am late this week with my project, so this one had to go together rather quickly.

Link up your project at Bitten By the Bug2 HERE.  You can use Instagram, blog, Pinterest, etc.

Cartridges: Life's a Beach, Pack Your Bags, Family Vacation.
I used Smooches on the word Beach and on the sand.  Stickles on the Shark, and inked edges.

BBTB2: Cricut Teacher Thank You Card

I made a bunch of school/teacher related cards from a pad of Graphic45 paper.  It's fun creating with their paper since it's so unusual and easy to work with.  Of course, I added my own Cricut touch, in this case, I added an apple and a 'thanks' banner.  Apple is from Preserves, and the Thanks is from The First Few Years (adding in my own lettering).

This card is part of the designers showcase of projects and cards at Bitten by the Bug2.  Our challenge is "Banners Everywhere".  I have made banners to hang across my fireplace, used them on layouts, and here with a card.  Lots of images to choose from on Design Space.

Join in our challenge and submit your entry at Bitten By the Bug2.  Michelle is hosting and her layouts are always fun to see.

BBTB2: Cricut - Thankful for Everything Box

Hi Followers,  Today is my turn to host the bi-monthly Cricut challenge over at Bitten by the Bug2.  I chose the theme of "Anything but a Card".  I see people making lots of projects with their Explore or Maker that have nothing to do with cards - tshirts, woodwork, earrings, clothing, etc.  You can submit your project to our Bitten by the Bug2 blog via the LINKY at the bottom of this week's post.  Go on over and check out projects by our design team HERE:

My project is something that I made from an old fencepost.  Yes, I did a construction project with an electric saw, hammer and nails!  It really didn't take too long to make the box, a little math involved for the measurements, and I sawed away.  There are handles on the sides that you don't see in the picture.  I didn't stain the wood, I just kept the patina it already had.  I used only one cartridge to make the Cricut image you see on the front.  The "thankful" is just what I wanted for this box, the cartridge is Photo Play Paper - Autumn Day.   I used acrylic paint and almost dry brushed it on.  I used the negative of the image as a stencil.   I gave this away in a gift exchange at our yearly crafty girls retreat.

BBTB2: Cricut - Mini Album, Road Tripping

I would like to share this mini album cover with you today as part of my project for Bitten by the Bug2.  This is a mini I created from a 5 day road trip we took last summer on the Highway 395 in California, which is a south to north road along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas. , also known as Scenic 395.  The mountains are spectacular, the lifestyle is laid back, and towns are small. We started from northern CA, driving down to Bakersfield and over to 395.  Then up 395 to Mono Lake and over the mountains into Yosemite and then home.  A great trip, new adventures, and not a lot of traffic.

I entered this mini album in the Alameda County Fair, which is a big fair, it runs for 3 weeks, and is going on now.  The category was Mini-Albums.  I won 1st Place, and Best of Show.  I was so elated, and was on Cloud 9 for the rest of the day.  Unfortunately, I did not take photos of the inside of the book, so that will be for another post as the mini will be at the fair through mid-July.

Our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks is "SUMMER FUN".  Our designers have created some amazing projects and cards.   Enter your card or project (anything goes) HERE:

Cricut Cartridges Used:
Sign:  Los Angeles (pieced apart and added Scenic 395)
Scenic:  Varsity Letter
395: Street Sign
Road Trip: Boys will be Boys - Arrow
June 2018 - Old West
Poppy:  Its a 3D image - #D Floral Home Decor

BBTB2: Cricut - He's Not a Myth, he's Papa!

I've seen this quote on social media several times and really thought it funny enough to make for my husband for Father's Day.  The hardest part was picking out the appropriate fonts.  It took about 15 minutes to make once I had the items in place.  My husband has always gone by Papa and the grandkids call him Nonno (he's Italian).  I know he will get a kick out of it.

Fonts:  Cricut Fontastic Fonts and Cricut Decorate 035
I get my vinyl from Expressions Vinyl online.  (expressionsvinyl.com)

Join our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks which has the theme of Father's Day.  You can link up your project on our webpage - it can be a card, layout, or décor item.  Come over to our BBTB2 blog and look at what our Designer's have to show off.

BBTB2: Cricut - The Tassle is Worth The Hassle

This card is for our second cousin, he is graduating high school.  I loved this title that I found in Design Space, it's probably pretty true about now.  It was a simple card to design and make.  The red (school colors) and title were print and cut (flattened).  The graduate I cut, and the background in black I cut as well.  I used bakers twine to finish it off.

Graduate:  Diploma In Hand, Graduation Silhouettes
Title:  The Tassle is Worth The Hassle

Cricut: Baby Bib for Kinsley

I'd never heard the name Kinsley, and now I have a grand-niece and a friend who have both named their daughters Kinsley.

I was babysitting little Kinsley this week and she was drooling a lot.  When she took her nap, I whipped up a little bib for her.  Some leftover iron-on vinyl and a few cut images quickly transformed this plain bib in a custom piece.  I got the bibs off of Amazon for something like 10 bibs for $9.  They are meant for a smaller baby but are still a good size.

3 Birds on Parade font for the name
Home Décor for the bird.

BBTB2: Cricut - He's in A Rock Band

My nephew's birthday is coming up, and he has a degree from Berkeley in Music.  He also leads the music for his church, playing guitar and singing.  He's so talented.  I came up with this quick card for him.  It uses only two cartridges from Design Space - Musician Silhouettes, and Band Parents.  I made it a print and cut since it is too detailed to cut out of paper.

Join our "Music" challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next two weeks.  Our designers will have you singing a tune or two with their projects.  Enter HERE.

BBTB2: Cricut - Mother's Day Step Fold Card

Can you believe I have never made a step-fold card.  I easily found the instructions on Pinterest, and had the card cut and scored in just a few minutes.  I had come up with the images I wanted to use before I envisioned them on a step-fold.  I really like how it turned out.  This card is for my daughter, who has 3 children, and sometimes amazes me with her ability to hold it together.

I made this for the Mother's Day Challenge at Bitten by the Bug2, which starts today and runs for two weeks.  Join in the fun and link up your project and see the artistry of our Designers.

I used Cricut images for the saying, children, slide, and teeter-totter.  The swing-set is hand cut from paper.  I inked many of the pieces as well.  It was an easy, fun to assemble card.

Images:
Mom saying:  Strong as a Mother
Children:  A Child's Year
Teeter Totter, Slide:  Playground Equipment (hadn't seen this cart before today)
Folded Card and Swing Set:  Hand cut

BBTB2: Cricut - Chinese New Year Envelopes

Chinese New Year was in February,   I saved the pictures of the red envelopes I made for this week's Bitten By the Bug2 post, which is "Boxes".  These were really easy to make.  One cut makes the envelope, one glue strip, and a few folds makes it into a pillow box.   I took the Pig image from Cricut Access and put a yellow box around it, printed it, cut it out and then glued it to the box.  Instead of money, I put in treats.  I also made these for a scrapbooking crop I went to the weekend before Chinese NY as a little memento of the day.

Join our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2, which runs for two weeks by linking your card or project containing a box.  Have a great day!

File:  https://design.cricut.com/#/design/128848121

Cartridges:  Chinese New Year, Wrap It Up, Free- Square Shape

BBTB2: Cricut - Easter's On It's Way

The Easter Bunny is on his way and he has flowers and a basket filled with candy.  Thanks to new images from Miss Kate Cuttables in Cricut Design Space, this was an easy layout to design and assemble.  I love the cute images that Kate designs and have purchases several of them.  Today's layout features three print-n-cut images.  In the Easter basket, I put two of Kate's images together, just had to add the Peeps - my favorite.  Now to find the perfect photo!

My Design Space File:  https://design.cricut.com/#/design/138794961

Join in our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks - Anything Goes - Easter.  HERE is the link.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

BBTB2: Cricut - Just a Wee Bit Irish

I ran across this cute saying in Cricut Access and thought it would look great on a shirt for one of the grandkids.  Just so happened I had a white t-shirt in the little guy's size.  It was a really easy project, as I had the vinyl as well.  I used the image set as displayed but added a few gold shamrocks for more bling.  I had it cut and ironed on in about 45 minutes.  I don't have a heat press, and don't really want one, but it would help avoid me from making boo-boos on my shirts.  One of the letters actually melted a bit, guess I was just a little too heavy handed.  My grandson won't care.

Our challenge theme this week at Bitten by the Bug2 is to make a card or project using a St. Patrick's Day theme or something green.  Our Designers have created some spectacular projects to show off, and you can join in the challenge fun right HERE by linking up your projects.   Happy St. Patrick's Day.

---May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten - Old Irish saying.

BBTB2: Cricut - Valentine Hearts for our Little Granddaughter

I spent more time than I wanted on this double page layout.  Haven't done a double in a long time, but didn't want to leave anyone out on these pictures from 6 years ago.  I'm cleaning my office, which is where I do a lot of crafting and finding all kinds of pictures to scrap.

Lots of layering and image cuts.  I inked the chain of border hearts, arrow, and swirls.   The Kisses and Simply Loved cuts are from Cricut Access and were print and cut.  The sideways hearts tag will be for journaling.  The paper is from a cheap pack at the Dollar Spot at Target years ago.  I double matted the pictures, the black really made them pop.

Join our Bitten by the Bug challenge for the next few weeks.  Our theme is Hearts.  Use Instagram, Facebook, or your blog to link your artwork.   Here is the link.


String of Hearts and Arrow - Victorian Romance
Heart Tag - Valentines Day
Heart flourishes - Flourishes
Love Simply - Our Love Story
Kisses 25cents - Little Sweethearts

Cricut - Love our Bulldog Shirts for Kids

I have a friend who just had her 3rd child - the ages are newborn, 1 1/2, and 3 1/2.  She has her hands full right now.   Plus they have two 85 pound bulldogs in the house.  My mom did it with three kids in 4 years.   I would go crazy.   Anyways - I made shirts for all three kids.  It was hard to think of a common theme with one boy and 2 girls..... so I let it go to the dogs.  Here is the shirts:   The lettering is Cricut Access - Cricut Outline Font.  The bulldog I pulled off the internet and made it an SVG in Design Space.  The mom used the saying 'party of 5' a few times on FaceBook so I put that saying really small on the sleeves.   I think they turned out fun for a quick project (ok not so quick, but easy enough for making 3 of something).

BBTB2: Cricut Dress Decor Designed by 7 year old

Hi all,   I would like to share a project that my 7 year old granddaughter and I made last week.  She did all of the designing, color choices, and loading of the Cricut.  I did the sizing and ironing.  It is a wonderful design, something that I would not have thought of.   I first asked her what design she wanted on her plain colored dress.  I suggested a Unicorn.  She said yes, then quickly changed her mind to 'flowers'.  She can scroll through Design Space flowers, which she did and picked two very different flowers.  She said she wanted 4 of this one and 1 of the other in the middle.  Very cleaver.  She then picked iron-on vinyl from my stash and we had this made in less than 45 minutes.

Our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 these next two weeks is "Coming up Daisies/Flowers".  This project will fit the bill nicely.  I guess I can call my granddaughter a guest designer on my blog!  Link up your "flower" project at the Bitten by the Bug2 blog HERE.  You can use Pinterest, Flicker, blog, or Facebook to link back to your projects.   Have a great day!

Quilts: Bonnie Hunter's En Provence is DONE!

This quilt took me two years to make.  It has over 2,000 pieces, I lost count somewhere before I put on the two rows of borders.  It was a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.  She  starts with a list of colors an yardage an gives 'clues' every week for several weeks.  Clues are the 'parts' of the quilt, such as making half square triangles in purple and yellow and how many to make.  She teaches tips on cutting and sewing along the way.  Her instructions were easy to follow.  We don't know until the last week how all the pieces are going to finish up in the design.

I started on about week 2 of the mystery, but I couldn't keep up with those fast ladies who got their quilt pieces completed each week.  I actually let mine sit for several months before picking it back up and getting it done.   It went to the quilter in the next town over for longarm quilting.  This finished up in queen size and it is shown on my guest bedroom.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  It's my first really big, intricate quilt.  I will make matching quilt shams as my next project.

Reference:  quiltville.blogspot.com  for the pattern.
Quilting by:  The Mad Quilters, Dublin, CA   http://themadquilters.com/
Material:  Scraps and a few purchases

BBTB2: Cricut Christmas Scene with Snowflakes and Toys

A visit to Santa where no one is crying?  This is a first for our grandkids.   I scrap this photo every year 1) so I won't lose it and 2) because it will be great to look back and see how they have grown.

Our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks is themed "Snow".You can use several methods to link up your 'Snow' themed Cricut cut.  We now allow SVGs to be used on your project but they have to be cut with a Cricut machine.  Link up HERE to BBTB2.

 I had so many ideas going through my head for layouts, but I thought I'd better get this one done.  It came together really nicely.  The overlay of the night scene is purposely edged in a wonky fashion, not really my style, but I went with it.   I added the toys and bunny using the print and cut feature.  Stickles and inking used to highlight several areas.  I could have easily added a lot of toys and went wild.  The font is from DaFont.com.  I put another Cricut font in the DS file so it will work correctly.

https://design.cricut.com/#/design/124640457

Cartridges Used:
Overlay:  Zooballo
Trees: Holly Jolly Christmas and Home Organization
Santa across the sky: T'was the Night Before Christmas
Toys and bunny: Santa's Village
Snowflakes: Very Merry Tags and Family Album

Quilts: A Christmas Present to Myself

I am sharing another quilt that I finished up right before Christmas.   This quilt was a block of the month that a friend and I started together back in 1999.   Yep - that long ago.  I'm happy to say she is still my friend, but has moved out of state.  The store where the pattern and material was purchased has long closed up, but they do quilt shows and retreats locally.

I hand cut each piece of material using the paper pattern provided.  The pieces were backed with fusible interfacing and ironed together.  I then almost lost a finger sewing a buttonhole stitch around each piece, sometimes going through 6 or more layers of fabric.  The embellishing with buttons and charms was the fun part.  I machine quilted using my own machine as the long arm quilter won't touch it with the embellishments.  I love how it finished up, but hate myself for taking so long to complete it.  I won't be giving this one away, and I'll proudly display it throughout the Christmas season.