Cricut Imagine + Kate's Kitchen Cartridge+ Printable Vinyl=New Kitchen Canisters!!

I found a steal on these antique-looking kitchen canisters at my local craft store just before Christmas.  I had an ideal in mind when I picked them up.  I decided I would use my Cricut Imagine and the Kate's Kitchen cartridge to dress these tin canisters up just a little!  I used the Cricut printable vinyl and sized the images between 3-5 inches depending on their respective canister size.  It was an easy print, cut, and adhere to each canister.  Afterwards, I used some country ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique to create a border and bow for each canister.  This project took maybe ten minutes total to finish and completely transformed the look of these ordinary canisters!! Thanks for looking!
 Patty

A Head Start on Valentine's Day Cards!!

I decided to use some of my Christmas gifts to create this cute little Valentine's Day card.  Doesn't hurt to get a head start!!  To create the card, I used a white pre-cut card and cut a piece of heart design cardstock from BABS.  The card was then layered with a smaller piece of black cardstock.  I embossed a piece of pale pink cardstock with my new Cuttlebug owl folder.  I was anxious to try it out, I do love owls!! This card also gave me a chance to use my Hampton Arts owl stamps.  The images were stamped with my VersaFine black stamp pad, which was also a Christmas gift.  I am anxious to try out different types of inks with my stamps, so if anyone has any suggestions, all comments would be appreciated!! I inked the embossed portion of the card, just a tad, with my Martha Stewart cat's eye pink stamp pad.  I then spritzed the card with some of my frost Shimmer Spritz.  I created a bow from black string from MakingMemories.  I found this string at a bargain at an Ollie's store that just opened up in my area. I've found some great buys on scrapbooking items there!! To finish this card I added a couple of adhesive gems for the eyes and three glitzy black brads as accents.  The inside of the card will also include a stamped sentiment from the Hampton Arts set.  It will simply read " I Do That's Who".  Have a safe New Year's Eve and a Happy New Year's day!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Patty

Winter Break Projects

Here are a couple of Winter Break projects.  The first is a tote bag I made for my niece.  She has been very sick and in the hospital.  I used the Cricut Imagine Baby Boutique cartridge for the monogram, bird designs, and swirls, which are printed and cut on fusible fabric.  I sewed a ribbon border using ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique.  I embellished with pink and clear rhinestones using my Easy Glitzer.  I created a matching bow also using ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique, I then found a cute rhinestone dragonfly pin to accent the bow.

 
The second project is an easy bookmark cut from the Animal Kingdom cartridge. This was my first wireless test cut using my Cricut Expression 2 machine and the Cricut Craftroom.  I embellished the bookmark with brads from All My Memories.  I add some coordinating buttons from Dress It Up. My name is formed from stickers from Colorbok. I colored my cardstock moose with my brown Copic marker.  I think I'll make a few more of these for friends and relatives!

Thanks for looking and Happy New Years!!

Cricut Imagine + Iron On Fabric Sheets For Ink Jet Printers

It's a windy, rainy day outside and I have a yucky head cold, so I decided to stay indoors, stay warm, and work with some of my crafts.  I pulled out some of my printable iron-on fabric I had purchased a few weeks ago.  I decided to try printing and cutting on this material using my Imagine.  Through trial and error, I found that the edges of this material need to be taped to the mat with a few pieces of tape.  I also set my pressure on 5 to make sure that the material was completely cut.  I used the Imagine Enjoy the Seasons cartridge to print the tree and squirrel for my sweatshirt.  The ink absorbed into the material wonderfully and was easy to iron on to the black sweatshirt.  I then sewed on some coordinating fall leaves and acorn buttons and finished the shirt with a little gold fabric paint.  I then printed the monogram "P" and bird image from the Imagine Baby Boutique cartridge.  I ironed these images onto a white tote bag.  I think I will sew a matching ribbon around the edges of the bag to add some additional embellishment.  I love the print and iron-on material.  I used the June Tailor Quick Fuse fabric sheets for ink jet printers.  With this material, it wasn't even necessary to flip the images before printing.  Looks like I'll be heading back to the craft store to buy more!!  Have a great week!

Patty

Cricut Imagine More Cards: Happy Birthday!!

I created a quick and simple birthday card using my Cricut Imagine and the Imagine More Cards cartridge.  I used the print and cut feature and sized everything at four inches.  I then separated my layers.  I took a precut white card and used some blue polka dotted paper from the DCWV.  I then used a photo cardstock background in a pretty pink pattern that I adhered to the paper using Glue-dots.  I layered my diecuts using foam adhesive squares.  I added a little glitz to my candle flame using orange glitter glue.  I finished the card with a nice coordinating bow from the Ribbon Boutique and some glitzy sequins from a recent yard sale find!  This birthday card took just a few minutes to make and I think it turned out very nice.  Hmmm, my sister has a birthday this week...may have to put this one in the mail tomorrow!! Thanks for stopping by!   Patty

Yeah!! My Imagine is back home.

I had to send my Cricut Imagine back to the factory a few weeks ago.  Without hassle, the company sent me a new one and it came this past week.  I was so thrilled to have the print and cut capabilities, that this machine offers, back.  I came up with this card using designs from the Lori's Garden Cricut Imagine cartridge.  I started with the precut, scalloped card.  I then embossed it using my Cuttlebug and one of my wonderful embossing folders.  From there I added some images cut from Lori's Garden, which I layered with adhesive, foam squares.  I then added some faux flowers and pearl adhesives from Recollections.  I glitzed the diecuts just a little with glitter glue.  I strung some beads from The Ribbon Boutique, added a bow from my scrap stash, and finished the card off with an antique metal brad from Making Memories.  I think I might of gotten a little carried away with all the "bling" on this card, but I think it also gives it sort of a Victorian look.  Now I just have to find the right sentiment to go inside!  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!   Patty

T-Shirts Using Yudu Preburned Screens

I took advantage of the recent sale on the Cricut.com website.  They had these pre-burned Yudu screens and I got 20% off plus free shipping.  I used brown Yudu ink on the pink t-shirt and black Yudu ink on the yellow t-shirt.  I just love the bird and butterfly and I can't wait to try these screens with some tote bags.  I also loved not having to take the time to prepare the emulsion!!    Thanks for looking!

Patty

Country Joy Card and Frame

I love to follow other craft blogs.  They provide both inspiration and education.  I scraplifted today's project from the Everyday Cricut blog.  This picture frame idea was created by Joy and I decided to add a little country flair to my version.  I, as Joy did, purchased my tri-matte and frame from Michaels.  I used paper to fill the frames from the DCWV 'Tis the Season' stack.  I cut my letters from the Cricut Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art cartridge.  I first cut the letters (three inch in size) out of white cardstock and then cut them a second time using the pretty Christmas print scrapbook paper.  I glued them together using my good ol' Elmer's gluestick.  I then cut squares of coordinating green paper from the same stack.  After gluing my letters onto the green squares, I adhered them to their red and white check background using foam, adhesive squares to add a little dimension.  I added some snowflake embellishments from Dress It Up.  To add some country flair to the matte, I added some antique style brads from Making Memories.  After putting the frame back together, I added a twine ribbon and bow.  I'm sure this project will make a wonderful, decorative piece in my log cabin during the upcoming holiday season.  Thanks Joy at Everyday Cricut for the inspiration.  After I had finished this project, I thought that this same design would look great for a Christmas card.  I used a precut craft paper-style card and again used scraps of the DCWV paper.  I added the snowflake and brad embellishments and a twine bow.  These were quick and easy projects to complete and would make great early Christmas gifts.  Looks like I might be heading back to Michaels for some more frames!!
Thanks for looking!

Patty

I Love Adhesive Vinyl!!

I haven't posted in a few days, but that doesn't mean that I have stopped crafting!! I placed an order with craftvinyl.com and was very pleased with both the support and service from my contact person, Nick. I ordered several colors and have been experimenting, alot!! I used multiple Cricut cartridges to cut these vinyl designs, including Hannah Montana (love the wonderful fonts!), Pumpkin Carving (for my glass block pumpkin), Thanksgiving for my charger plate, Christmas (for my winter church glass block), Home Decor (for the acrylic tumblers), and many of the monograms and pretty swirls, flowers, etc. came from Elegant Cakes and Martha Stewart Elegant Cake Art cartridges. I also designed the camping theme tumbler from my Campin' Critters cartridge and the wild animal tumbler from the Wildlife cartridge. I hope I haven't left any out!! I've been too excited and busy working with vinyl, that I didn't write everything down!! If you notice one and have questions, feel free to leave contact information. I also tried a new product that I recently found at Hobby Lobby. In the Christmas section, they have bottles of Glistening Snow Writer. This creates really beautiful dimensional effects on glass and paper. I had fun use this to add some dimension to my winter church glass block, which is going to light up the night near my fireplace this winter! I also had a chance to test the acrylic tumblers in the dishwasher. I placed one on the top rack and washed it on the "light wash" setting. It also went through a short drying cycle. Both the tumbler and the vinyl were just fine after I removed them. I plan to make tumblers for most of my family members for Christmas. I already have a pretty good start don't you think!! Thanks for looking!! Patty

Cricut Imagine Christmas Stocking and Card Using Snow Angel

I picked up a copy of Scrapbooking magazine at Hobby Lobby yesterday.  I found a great idea posted by Kimber Jepperson using the Cricut Imagine Snow Angel cartridge.  She created large stockings from one of the designs and stitched them together to hold all kinds of goodies!!  I thought this was a great idea, so I "scrap-lifted" it and decided to create not only a stocking, but a matching card.  I cut one stocking using the fit to page feature on white cardstock.  I then flipped the image and cut another stocking also using the fit to page feature.  I used my trusty Bernina sewing machine (she's been feeling neglected lately due to my paper craft craze) to stitch the stocking together using white thread.  I reinforced the stitching on each end.  I embellished the stocking with some stick-on pearls and dried flowers from Recollections.  I added a couple of little, pink roses from Treasures by Shabby Chic.  I then created a nice matching bow from ribbon by Dashes, Dots, and Checks.  I then suspended a cute, little deer ornament from the Seasonal Shoppe from Hobby Lobby.  The embellishments were adhered to the stocking using Pop-Up Glue Dots.  I then stuffed some tissue paper into the top, but that's just until I decide to stuff it with goodies!!

The matching card was created using a pre-cut card from the dollar bin at Michael's.  I just love these tag cards. I used some glittery paper from DCWV as my background, cutting it to fit the card.   I cut my stocking at 3 inches on white cardstock from the Snow Angel Imagine cartridge.  I adhered it with Pop-Dots, again adding a little tissue paper into the top.  I used the Recollections pearls to embellish and the pink roses from Treasures by Shabby Chic.  I tied a cute little bow from the Dashes, Dots, and Checks ribbon and created a "hanger" using the same ribbon.  I created some little, pink and white pearls on the stocking using Ranger Liquid Pearls.  I think the card coordinates very nice with the stocking that will be filled with Christmas goodies for my someone special!!  Thanks for looking!!

Patty

Using Cricut Imagine and Printable Vinyl on Acrylic Tumblers

Yesterday I picked up some clear acrylic tumblers at Big Lots.  These were the double-walled ones with straws. I wanted to try my hand embellishing them with the printable Cricut Imagine Vinyl.  I used my Enjoy the Season Cricut Imagine cartridge to create the designs and my Printing 101 cartridge to create the lettering for my name.  I printed and cut the apple at 4 inches.  The color letters for my name were designed from an Enjoy the Seasons theme.  They were cut at approximately 2 inches each.  After printing the designs and adhering them to the tumblers, I used some Plaid aerosol sealer to make sure my ink would stay colorfast.  The sealer can be found in the craft paint department.  I chose this sealer because the label said it was good for sealing the ink on maps and other documents. The sealer gave the tumbler a "frosted" appearance, but the design looks great!!  After I let the sealer dry, I then brushed on some gloss sealer from Delta.  I let this dry and then took a baby wipe and wiped over all parts of the design.  No fading or running.  As an extra test I handwashed the tumbler with soap and water and it turns out the sealing process worked just fine!! I am now in the process of designing a couple more tumblers to give as gifts.  It looks like I will be heading back to Big Lots!!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Patty

Using the Yudu CardShop to Create Beautiful Cards.

I got a great deal on a slightly used Yudu CardShop and got some time to practice with it today.  I used the included screened images with black ink on white cardstock to create both the birdcages and the sentiments.  I then layered the designs with white on black cardstock.  I used my Martha Stewart punches to create the borders and added some diamond and silver brads from Recollections.  The black and the silver ribbons are from the Ribbon Boutique.  The cards are put together with a combination of glue sticks and Glue Dots.  I can't wait to purchase some blank screens so that I can start screen printing my own designs on cards.  I'm not that great with ink and stamping so I think this little gadget has so much potential!  Thanks for looking!

Patty

Thanks "Sew" Much Card

Here is a thank you card made for  my sister who gave me a really special birthday gift.  I used my Country Life Cricut Cartridge  for the die-cuts and my Best Friends Imagine Cartridge for the paper designs.  I used Bazzill Basics Paper Premium Textured Cardstock for the card. I then adhered a square of Cloud 9 Design Specialty Double-Sided Cardstock for the flowered background.  I then used a light blue precut photo mat by Heidi Grace.  I adhered my die-cuts to the mat using foam adhesive squares.  I shaded my quilt just a tad using my Copic Cadmium Yellow marker.   I then embellished the die-cuts with silver glitter glue, for the needle, and my white Gelly Roll pen for the stitching.  I cut my tag from the same Bazzill cardstock and border punched it with my Fiskars punch.  I printed the wording off on plain, white paper and then used some Pebbles chalk to add some color.  I used a regular ball point pen to create stitches around the tag and quilt.  I topped this card off with a few buttons from my sewing stash, which are adhered with Glue Dots.  I then added a bow made from ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique.  I hope my sister likes her card as much as I liked my present!!  Thanks for looking!

Patty

Spooktacular Halloween Cards!!

I took advantage of my day off (school closed due to flooding!! Wow!!) and put the Cricut Craft Room to the test once again.  I created these Halloween cards using my Imagine and the Craft Room.  I used the Cricut Pumpkin Carving cartridge and use the color palate to print out my basic colors.  I then adhered each square to some black or orange cardstock and then embellished with some sequins and orange glitter glue.  I also dressed up my pumpkins with a nice bow tie using ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique. The wonderful Halloween stickers are from remarks by American Crafts.  I think these cards turned out very nice.  My experience using the Craft Room today has been spooktacular!! Thanks for visiting!!
Patty

My First Cards Using Cricut Craft Room

Okay, I must admit, lately I've been devoting my time to my Yudu. But, this weekend, we got a monsoon of rain. Over a month's worth in two days!! This rainy weather has kept me inside and allowed me to do a little card making.  I was pleased to find that I actually got access to the Cricut Craft Room.  I encountered several "bridge errors" but managed to successfully print and cut two Christmas cards.  I used my Imagine Snow Angel cartridge for the backgrounds and designs and used Cricut Christmas Cards cartridge for the actual cards.  I really liked Cricut Craft Room.  I hope all the bugs get worked out very soon as I see lots of potential for this program.  I dressed up the cards with some diamond sequins and a little scrap of ribbon.  I had the "winter wonderland" sticker in my leftover drawer from last year, so I can't really remember what company makes them....I think Stampabilities...but not real sure!! Anyway I think these "first" cards came out pretty good and I look forward to using the Craft Room some more!!  Thanks for visiting!
Patty

What I Can Do With the Yudu!!

Okay, I know that lately I have not been posting any handmade papercrafts, but I must admit I am an addict.  A craft addict that is!! I've told my mom it is a far better habit than smoking and drinking and she shruggingly agrees!!  After much research and hesitation, I ordered a Yudu.  There were about as many bad comments as good out there, but I thought with my crafty nature I would give it a try.  Yeah!! It works!!  My first application of the emulsion sheet and screen print were a success.  I made a couple of shirts, to wear, for the club I sponsor at school.  I embellished the stethoscope with some Tulip 3D glitter fabric paint.  I then got on the internet and started searching for free black and white clipart.  I found a link to the wonderful site Briar Press and used the little birdy image on my next two shirts.  They printed off beautifully with the Yudu black ink.  I will now go in search of an answer regarding heat setting, as I don't want these beautiful images to disappear in the wash!! If anyone has suggestions I would greatly appreciate them!! Thanks!!

Have a Great Weekend!!Patty

Card and Gift Bag Combination

This week I've been busy working on some book reviews as part of my summer job, thus my cardmaking has gone slightly by the wayside.  Last night and today I gave my self a break and sat down with my Cricut Gypsy.  Back in the spring I took advantage of a deal to get seven free cartridges with the purchase of a Gypsy.  One of those cartridges was Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More.  I experimented last night making a couple of bags on the 12X12 mat.  I just wasn't pleased with their tiny size.  Perfect for a gift card or ring box, but not a sizeable bag.  I rustled up some 12X24 paper and went to work this morning.  The pictures show what I came up with.  Using the larger paper and mat, my gift bag is now around 7 1/2 inches wide by 6 inches tall (8 1/2 with the handle).  I found some wonderful plain "tag" cards in the dollar bin at Michael's and used one of those to create a matching card.  I really like these tag cards.  I always like to display my holiday cards and these have a prepunched hole perfect for hanging with ribbon or beads.    Okay here's my "recipe" for the bag and card:

Bag:
I used one piece of red 12X24 cardstock from The Paper Studio cut at 22.75 X 11.58 (these sizes were created on my Gypsy).  I then traced around the outside of the bag to put my snowflake pattern paper, from Recollections, in place.  This also gave the bag a little more stability.  Everything was put together using an Elmer's gluestick and Glue Dots to reinforce the bag seams. I embellished the outside by cutting a doily from the Cindyloo cartridge at 4.5 inches using white cardstock.  I sprayed the white cardstock with sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  I then cut a snowflake and background from the Winter Lace cartridge at 3.5 inches each. I added some sequins from Recollections and some bead trim and a bow.  The bead trim was from RibbonFx and the ribbon from the Ribbon Boutique.

The Card:
As I've already mentioned, the card comes from Studio G.  I adhered my snowflake patterned paper with a gluestick and then spritzed the exposed white area with sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  I used Cindyloo again to cut a doily at 2.8 inches.  Winter Lace provided me with the snowflake and background, cut at 1.8 and 2.1 inches respectively.  I then added the same theme with the bead trim, ribbon, and sequins, using Glue Dots to hold everything together. 

I know it's a little early for the holidays, but this crafting activity has me thinking of cooler weather as we hit 90+ temperatures and elevated humidity today!!
Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!!

Patty