Cricut Card: Sunflower Double Fold

 This card seems simple, and it may be, but it was very time consuming.  It turned out really detailed and bright.  I've made it in 3 different backgrounds and each with a different surprise inside.  I guess the time-consuming part was making over 25 of these cards.  Most of these cards were made for the Scrapbook Expo Sacramento Card Swap.  I've kept several as they are an all-purpose card, and I can grab one when needed.  

I did get the card base and envelopes at Michaels on sale, that saved a bit of time in not having to cut and fold the card.  The sunflowers were cut with the Cricut, but it only had an outline cut.  So, I duplicated the image and then did a 'hide contour' in order to make the solid background image.  Gluing the outline to the back of the flower was tedious and required a steady hand.  I added a few leaves and some gems (not shown).  Inside I made a pop-out 'saying' by gluing in a strip of 1" x 4" folded at 1", 2" and 3.5".  I also added an outline of another sunflower cut and white paper for adding a personal note.

Which version do you like the best?

Craft With Sarah: Cricut - Happy Halloween Banner

How do you like this banner?  It's a big one - about 28" across.  I downloaded the design from "Craftwithsarah.com".  She has a lot of layered svg files for free and also for sale.  This awesome project was free a few weeks ago.   It is a monster - taking me about 5 hours to cut, and another couple of hours to assemble.  It used 40 mats - like I said, a big project and it used lots of cardstock.

Some of the layers were glued, and others pop-dotted.  Assembly was fairly straight forward, she provides instructions.  The background piece in purple took 6 12"x12" sheets.  They are taped and glued together to form the base.  This was a fun project to work on at the Sacramento Scrapbook Expo crop, as I didn't need to bring lots of scrapbooking supplies.  I have it hanging on the inside of my front door, I don't think it would hold up well hanging outside.   Check out Sarah's website - there are lots of animals, seasonal designs, and bundles.     

Happy Halloween everyone!

She's Just a Girl Who Loves Horses

 My granddaughter is taking horse riding lessons.  So, I decided to make her a sweatshirt that will last the winter.  It was pretty easy and came together quickly.   I took an image from Design Space and altered it a bit (taking the heart off of Love, changing the size of the L, and changing the horse.  I think if I added any more colors, she may not like it - 10-year-old fashionistas can be picky.  She loved this sweatshirt!!!

BBTB2: Cricut - Sparkling Seahorses

 I made lots of these cards for a swap,   It was so much fun trying out different color combos for the seahorses and background papers.  

The seahorses were made by starting with double stick adhesive tape.   One side was stuck to white cardstock and cut out on the Cricut, using the Traveler image set in Design Space.  The top of the image was uncovered and I sprinkled white fine glitter over the image and burnished it into the seahorse.  I then took ink sprays and let the magic happen.  The color combos mixed so well and really designed themselves.   

The sand dollar is a stamp from Tim Holtz.  I added a light background with a few strips of paper and splatters of ink.  I really just wanted the seahorses to shine.   I'll definitely try this technique again.

Our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 is "Under the Sea" for the next two weeks.  Use your Cricut and link up anything you make with it to our challenge HERE.   Enjoy!

BBTB2: Cricut - Summer Vacation Horse Camp

 It's been forever since I've posted a project on my blog or on Bitten by the Bug2.  Lots going on this year, including a big move to Northern CA.  I have been packing, unpacking, fixing, and shopping for what seems like months.  My craft room is 1/4 the size of what I had before, and I guess it's going to be awhile before it's in a good working condition.  I did set up my Cricut and found one mat so that I could cut out some images.  

Summer is so hot here, most days in the last month have been 90-100 degrees.  The week my granddaughter had horse camp it was over 100 degrees each day.  This limited their training time, but she didn't give up.  On Friday, we were invited to a show of what they had learned during the week.  A great adventure for my granddaughter and I hope she continues to learn about horses.  This layout is a great subject for the theme of our Bitten by the Bug2 challenge for the next two weeks - "Great Outdoors".  You can link up your card, layout, or project on the blog for all to see.   Have a great August, stay cool!

Small Horse:  Noah's ABCs

Large Horse:  Bit's and Pieces

Giddy Up and Girl:  Create A Friend

Saddle, Horse: Old West

Road:  Travel Often

Fence:  A Frightful Affair

The above is my completed layout.  I also cut out a set for my granddaughter to make for her book. 

 

 

I drew inspiration from Anthadene Endemann's design that is in the Facebook Group "Scrappytodoit With my Cricut".  I love her designs and use them often. 

BBTB2: Cricut - Valentines Day Sweets for my Sweethearts

With Valentines Day right around the corner, this year I am getting my little presents done ahead of time.  I made up some cute goodie bags for my grandkids and a friend.  The "Owl Be Yours Valentine's Party Set" in Cricut Design Space has just a few of the cutest Valentine's images.   I quickly picked these set of tags and had them cut, assembled, and the bags stuffed with candy and tied in less than an hour.  

Our Cricut challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next two weeks is "Valentine's Day or Hearts".  You can link up your own project to the blog and take a look at what our Designers are showing off.  Link up your project until February 14th at Bitten by the Bug2 HERE:

BBTB2: Cricut - Magical Winter Snowflakes

 Although we rarely get snow (last time was in 1976) in the SF Bay Area, we can jump in the car and be in Tahoe in just a few hours.  Since the grandkids now live about an hour from the snow, I'm sure I will be scrapbooking a lot more pictures of their winter snow adventures.  I selected our challenge at Bitten by the Bug2 for the next few weeks - and the theme is "Magical Winter Snowflakes".  You must use your Cricut machine and create a card, project, or layout using snowflakes.  There are so many in Design Space, some are very intricate, and all are so unique.  I cut out three different ones for my project.

I purchased the Frozen Image Set when it first came out several years back, and admit, I haven't used it enough.  For my double layout, I used the print and cut for the Title, Elsa, and Olaf.  They are just too intricate to cut that small from paper.  The snowflakes are from Frozen and When It's Cold Outside.  The layer of snow is actually tagged as sand and was found in Family Vacation.  My background paper is a soft pink, a nice contrast to the greens and blues used in the layout.  I inked the snowflakes to make them stand out, and inked the edges of the trees in white ink to look like snow.  Maybe I will add some Stickles to the branches too.  A few gems top off the project.

Credit for my layout goes to Terry Newman of Scrappytodoit with my Cricut on FB.  Her inspiring layout is below.

Link up your project to our Bitten by the Bug2 blog before January 31, 2020 HERE

 

 

BBTB2: Cricut - Get Well Card with flowers

Happy New Year 2021.  Cheers to making it safely and with somewhat of a sane mind.  I'm not as stressed out/depressed as I was months ago about the stay at home orders, guess I am used to it by now.  And with a vaccine in my future, I know there is an end in sight.

Our first challenge for Bitten by the Bug2 in 2021 is "Get Well Cards".  I don't give out many of these type of cards, but it's good to have one on hand, just in case.

My card uses a potted set of geraniums from the Freshly Picked image set (one of my favorites) and a fancy cut out background and 'get well soon' title from the Paper Lace image set.

You can link up your "Get Well" themed projects at Bitten by the Bug2 via our LINKY HERE.

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 - 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 - 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 - 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.