by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
It’s been awhile since I last posted. The holidays proved to be very busy, and I did not have time for the challenges. However, that doesn’t mean the Cricut has been idle; I’ll be posting some of my projects, including my first attempt at some vinyl wall art, in the coming weeks.
For now, let’s get to the challenge!
The Challenge: Create a Valentine’s Day Card. Include sequins or gems and ribbon.
I absolutely love the little hippo, and I’ve been dying to use it ever since I first laid eyes on it, but never had quite the right card. If I had a Cupid of my own, this is what she’d look like!
To create the card, you will need the following cartridges: Wild Card, Birthday Bash and Beyond Birthdays.
I thought that she looked like she was singing, so the sentiment had to be:
I hope that your Cupid was as good to you as mine was to me. A very post-Happy Valentine’s day to one and all!
by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
The Challenge: Create a project of any kind using your ‘sign/sybmol’ of fall (remember, this can be any fall item that brings that fall feeling to you). You also must include some way of adding texture to your project. Whether you use a cuttlebug, distress the edges, ink, stickles, etc. Your project must include at least 2 different Cricut cuts.
November 6
For this month’s challenge, I made a card using the Word Collage cartridge as the centerpiece. The words are created using the Cri-Kits black metallic pen.
I have also included 2 frames from the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge and the pumpkins are from the Holiday Cakes cartridge.
Texture was added in a number of ways. All of the cuts were inked to give them depth; the pumpkins were embossed with the Cuttlebug swirls embossing folder; lace and hand-dyed ribbons were added for dimension and to give the card a softer appearance and feel. I used the unprinted side of a paper from the Everyday Kraft pack from The Paper Studio. I loved the harshness of the look and feel against all the softer elements. And, last but not least, another of my mother’s vintage buttons finishes it off.
The holidays are almost here, so it’s back to creating!
by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
The Challenge: Create a Halloween Home Decor project! Your project must include at least 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.
October 30
I was excited to see this month’s challenge was a home d’cor project, as I had already purchased the straw broom to use for Halloween. Of course, I had no idea what I was going to do with it when I purchased it, as I had only a vague picture in my head of how it might be transformed. However, a witch’s broom needs all the accessories of the witch herself, so that made the project come into focus.
The boots were accessorized with some vintage lace (again, from my mother’s collection), hand-dyed ribbon, rhinestones and small paperclips.
To decorate the hat, I used 4 layers of green tulle, which I sewed together for ease of working with it. The hat band was enhanced using hand-dyed ribbon and copper glitter on the buckle. A bow was added to the top of the hat. (This photo was taken before I realized I hadn’t reset the spider; the first photo shows the spider hanging down, rather than sideways.)
The bow was the final touch and included the witch’s accessories, such as a wand and poison potion. I used my new bow maker to create the bow, and I learned that you really need ribbon with a wire to make it easier. Glitter was added to the star on the wand and the “poison” and skull. You cannot see it in the photo, but the bone is white and also glittered. I think I will go back and add some rhinestones to the bottom of the bottle where the holes are.
The project turned out much nicer than I expected, and looks so much better in person than in the photos. Now, we’re ready for all the trick-or-treaters tomorrow night!
by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
This week’s challenge was perfect since I needed to complete the purse gift set previously posted.
October 27
The Challenge: We all love to receive a little surprise . . . just because! This challenge is all about paying it forward and brightening someone’s day! Create something to give away using your Cricut machine. It can be for a holiday, a season, an occasion, or just because. Be sure to include at least 2 Cricut Image Cuts on your project.
To accompany the purse, I added a matching gift card holder from the Cindy Loo cartridge. A monogram was used to match the purse, and rhinestones were added for some extra bling.
The cupcake was more for nostalgia than anything. I used to bake and decorate cakes before I became ill, a task that is too much for me at this time. Since I could not bake her favorite carrot cake, I decided a sock cupcake would do the trick.
|
|
The sock cupcake is not an original idea, but I also cannot give credit to any one particular person, as they can be found on countless websites and done in as many ways. For mine, I cut the butterfly 2 from the Cupcake Wrappers cartridge at 2-1/2×11-1/2 using the same papers as the gift card and purse. A think layer of glitter was added to the top edge of the cupcake holder. I then added some vintage lace and some black hand dyed ribbon; glitter was added to the black ribbon to give it a little sparkle of it’s own. I wrapped 3 sheets of tulle around the sock and rotated them to create a tissue paper look. To make the candle, I simply rolled a strip of leftover paper and cut a flame from a yellow piece of cardstock. The flame was then inked around the edges and glued into the candle base.
Since my friend is a dark chocoholic, I also added some Godiva dark chocolates to the purse. When she received the gifts, she was thrilled and intends to keep them on her desk at work. She also plans to keep chocolates in her purse all the time to share, as well as show off her gifts. Nice to know when you’ve created a gift that keeps on giving!
by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
This was the toughest challenge for me personally, which is why it is my final entry for the BLOGiversary challenge. I couldn’t decide what to do, what colors to use, and so on. A dear friend of mine is turning 70 next week, and I wanted to do something for her, so I did finally decide I would make her the purse from the Wild Card cartridge. I was excited about this since this would be my first experience with making this item.
October 13
The biggest problem came when I was trying to choose a color. Her favorite color is red, but I couldn’t find enough red papers that actually blended well to give the look I was hoping to create. After several tries of other colors, I finally found what I was looking for in shades of black. Although not my favorite color, I do love the elegance of black, so it made a good choice.
Once I started the project, it flowed quite well and was fun to make. I used Bazzill Basics in black for the base of the purse, then cut an additional top and back piece out of Creative Memories Delight Fashion Diva paper. I went back to my mother’s stash of vintage buttons and found the perfect one with lots of bling factor for the clasp of the purse, then added rhinestones to the edge.
The decorative monogram area was created using the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge. The pieces were sprayed with Tattered Angels Snow Queen, and the frame was given a light edging of glitter. The monogram “L” is from the Walls, D’cor and More cartridge and I used glitter to give it a punch.
The specifics of the project challenge:
The Challenge: Create a project of your choice using a monochromatic color scheme. Your project must include at least 2 different Cricut Image Cuts.
I learned a great deal making this purse, and if I were gong to do it again, I’d make a few changes. First, I’d stitch the decorative paper to the base of the purse to give it a more realistic look, and I’d do the same with the label on the front. Also, if I were going to do it again in black, I’d use black rhinestones; the crystal one’s get lost in the design.
I know my friend will love it, and I cannot wait to give it to her filled with some birthday goodies. Now, all I have to do is decide what types of goodies to include.
by Shari | Cricut Circle, Our Art, Shari_T
Sometimes I have to search for the right paper for a project; others it seems the paper dictates the project. When I opened the package of Basic Gray Jovial Collection Pack, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it, and it was perfect for this challenge.
The Challenge: Use your Cricut machines to create a project using the following “recipe”. It must contain 1) A Title; 2) At least 2 Cricut Cuts, and 3) At least 3 buttons.
October 12
The papers in this pack reminded me of Grandmother Taylor-Haas and her handmade Christmas decorations, from the numerous ceramics she made in her 40 years in business, to the adorable sewed projects I still use to decorate my home during the holidays. She was so incredibly artistically talented: sewing (she was a master seamstress), knitting, crocheting, embroidery work, ceramics, painting, and many I’m sure I’ve forgotten at the moment.
I wanted to create a holiday project with a very vintage feel, and the ornaments remind me of the one’s my family still hang on the tree every year. I used the ornaments from the Christmas Cheer cartridge and letters from the Wall D’cor and More cartridge.
I placed a gold ribbon vertically over the background paper so that the ornaments would sit on it to match the background. Each ornament was inked, sprayed with Ranger’s Glimmer Mist, and embellished with rhinestones and pearls. The letters were sprinkled with white glitter. The buttons, located in the upper left corner and lower right corner, are some more newly acquired buttons from my mother’s vintage collection.
So, this one is for Grandmother, who brought so much joy to so many lives in her 90 years.
