You are awesome!

Happy Monday!  I do hope that you all had a wonderful Easter.  My daughter was home for the weekend and it was so nice to have her with us - and to get together with extended family for lots of food and fun!

This week at My Craft Spot, we are challenging you to "shake it on".  Use glitter, flock, tiny beads, etc., to decorate your projects.  This certainly was a challenge for me as all my glitter and flock are packed away. That said, I'm DELIGHTED to announce that we have FINALLY found a home!  We take possession June 16 and will move later that week.

I created my card base on my Silhouette and added a pattern from Mel Stampz.  I used the internal offset to create my faux stitching around the edges.  The fun little cactus is from Create a Critter 2.  I embossed his fun hat and added tiny green glass beads.  As my Xyron is packed, I had to adhere the glass beads with Glossy Accents.  It was a bit tricky - and rather messy - but I now have a prickly-looking cactus!!

The red banner was created with My Craft Spot's Ribbon Banners - Straight metal dies and stamped with a sentiment from Banner Sentiments.  I added three enamel dots to finish things off.

PS  I'm sorry this post comes late in the day.  I realized this afternoon (when it wasn't live) that I must have forgotten to actually schedule/publish the post.

Happy Birthday Fisherbear

I'm sharing this project over at My Craft Spot today and I'm posting it here on my blog too.  I created this fun card for a friend to give to her boyfriend.  She chose the adorable fisherbear image herself (and I like him too!).  He was purchased from Silhouette (#43388). After I cut, inked and assembled him, I added a bit of white gel pen to his nose and eyes.

I created the mat using Scrapping LIfe Cards metal dies and Fancy Edges metal dies. The little jagged edge is so fun for projects like this!  I also added some tabs behind the mat.  These were cut with Tiny Banners and Toppers metal dies and then topped with some fun enamel dots.  I embossed the back mat with a Crafts Too butterflies folder.  The top layer of the fish was embossed with my Cuttlebug.

The sweet little "Happy Birthday" is from the Banner Sentiments stamp set and it is stamped on the small cut from Ribbon Banners (Arched) metal dies set.

For added fun, I adhered my fisherbear to the card with an Action Wobble.  So fun!  (I always get such a kick out of Action Wobbles!)

Thanks for popping by to visit.  Have a great day!

 

Easter Card

We're getting ready for Easter at My Craft Spot and this week's challenge will give you a chance to work on your Easter projects too!

I decided to create a card for my project.  A number of week's ago, KaDoodle Bug Designs was giving away a wonderful He is Risen cut file.  As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  I also used a file from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons for the centre panel step card base.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the cross and the tuft of grass before I assembled the little scene.  I stamped the cloud background with a Peachy Keen stamp.  For the grass, I cut two layers of dark green cardstock (to match the stems of the sweet little flowers) and used one of the My Craft Spot Fancy Edges metal dies along the top of each.  I also used a little stamp from Jar Full of Flowers on the grass too.

The sentiment I chose is actually from My Craft Spot's Joy Filled Christmas - but it's just perfect for Easter too!  I stamped a bit at a time on the white circle which was cut using the original Tiny Doilies set.  The orange layer behind it was cut using a die from Tiny Doilies 2.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design team has created - and to link up your own Easter project!  Easter is such a joyous time and I can't wait to see what you make!

Moo-chas Gracias

I'm thrilled to be sharing a project at My Craft Spot today and I'm posting it here on my blog too.  I LOVE the print and cut feature on the Silhouette.  It makes card creating so ridiculously easy - and gives everything such a crisp, clean look.  I think I can easily become an addict!!  For this project, I used some files from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons.  The cow is from the Farm Critters set and the fabulous cloud background is from the Spring Fling paper pack.  As soon as I saw the Farm Critters set, I just had to have those happy animals!  I LOVE the smiles!  I used the offset feature to create a bit of a shadow around my cow.  I also drew a square with white dotted lines on the card base.  This made faux stitching incredibly easy!  After I had printed and cut my background and cow, I cut some grass to add to the bottom of my card.  This was done using one of the metal dies from My Craft Spot's Fancy Edges set.

The fun sentiment on my card is from My Craft Spot's Cute Critters stamp set.  This set has quite a variety of super sentiments to go with lots of different animals - and to create for a number of occasions.  I was having so much fun creating my card that I ended up with a set of 12!!  My little 3x3 thank you cards will come in handy to give as extra little thanks here and there.

If you're in the mood for creating thank you cards of your own, be sure to link them up at My Craft Spot for this week's "Thank you" challenge.  You have until Monday night to add your project.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful day!

Spring Blog Hop Winner

Thanks to all of you who left such kind comments for me during the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons / My Craft Spot Spring Blog Hop.  I had such fun reading them all!  After a visit to Random.org, the first comment to come up and have mentioned a favourite flower was #15 - Migdalia from Crafting with Creative M.  Congratulations Migdalia!  You have won a $15US My Craft Spot gift certificate.  Please contact me with your details so I can make arrangements to get your prize to you. 

You Can Use Your Silhouette to Cut Cricut Images!!

Click HERE if you are looking for the My Craft Spot / Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Spring Blog Hop post.

If you're anything like me, you've invested a fair amount into your Cricut cartridges and love so many of the wonderful images. I'll never tire of those sweet Doodlecharms characters! However, now that I have my Cameo, I find that I'm using SVGs more and more.  I love the variety of cuts available and I also love the ease of the Silhouette software.  Although I do continue to pull out my Cricut now and then, I wondered if it was worth it to me to invest in the new Cricut Explore.  I have read some reviews about how much better the Silhouette cuts.  I have to admit that my Silhouette cuts much more cleanly than my Expression.  (Note: I have not tried the Explore so can not make a comparison with that.)  

Earlier today, I was trying to cut the reindeer from Very Merry Tags and was using my Cricut.  I needed the cut to be on the smallish side - 2.75in.  I tried several times using several methods and had no success.  The antlers ripped each and every time. I then wondered if there was a way to use my Silhouette to cut the image so mucked about with things for a bit... and there is a way!! Using Cricut Design Space, Paint and my Silhouette Cameo software, I was able to import the reindeer image and cut it out using my Silhouette.  Here's a photo comparison:

I find that the Silhouette cut is more defined than the Cricut cut.  Plus, the antlers cut out beautifully! I'm so excited to continue to use the Cricut images that I love so much and combine them with the SVGs that I also love to use.

I created a video tutorial which provides instructions on how to use your Silhouette to cut Cricut images.  I humbly request that you demonstrate integrity in using this method to cut only images which you have already purchased.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions!! (Click link for video if your mobile device does not show it in this post: http://youtu.be/tsYX8Hkqr0U)

Spring Blog Hop

Welcome to the My Craft Spot / Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Spring Blog Hop!!  We FINALLY have temperatures above freezing - although are due for more snow this week.  I sure could use some spring!!  Perhaps that's why I'm especially excited about this hop.  My Craft Spot has joined with Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons to create Spring and Easter-themed projects.  What a great way to see the fabulous springtime products available from both companies!!  You'll see a variety of cut and graphic files from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons combined with My Craft Spot stamps.  How fun! 

If you've just arrived from Roberta's creative blog, you're in the right spot!  If you just popped by for a visit and would like to start hopping from the start, please head over to Lisa's blog - Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons. 

When I started thinking of my project, I took one look at the sheep from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Rainy Day Critters set and knew what I wanted to do!  Isn't he SO cute?  After using my Cuttlebug for a bit of embossing, I combined him with the cloud, raindrops and puddle which are also from the Rainy Day Critters set.  My grass was created with one of My Craft Spot's Fancy Edges metal dies. Once everything was cut and assembled, I layered it all on a grey sky background which was created with with Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Spring Fling Pattern pack - perfect for those overcast and rainy spring days!

The "April showers bring May flowers" sentiment I used on my card is actually one stamp which is part of My Craft Spot's Butterfly Kisses stamp set.  I just inked the sides separately to use the sentiment both inside and outside of my card.  (The little ...'s were added with a black pen.) I finished things off with a "Goofy Tulip" from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons' Flower Faces cutting file - although I used the print and cut feature to create it.

How about some blog candy?  Here at Small Bits of Paper, I am giving away a $15US gift certificate to my absolute favourite stamp and crafting supplies company... My Craft Spot!!  For a chance to win, please leave a comment on this post AND let me know your favourite spring flower.  Mine is the daffodil. I will post the randomly selected winner on Tuesday, April 1.  No joke!

$20 Gift Card to

 Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons 

 

$20 Gift Card to
My Craft Spot

There are also prizes available for those of you who take part in the entire hop (which I hope you do!).  For a chance to win the blog hop prizes, you MUST be a follower of each blog and leave a comment on EACH blog. For extra chances to win, you can also "LIKE" Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons on Facebook and My Craft Spot on Facebook. 

Thanks so much for visiting!  Now it's time for you to head over to the talented Shannon's blog - Designs of a Paddymack.  Happy springing... er, hopping!!

Here is the blog hop line up:

Lisa ~ http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/
Ally ~ http://www.rockpapercricut.com/
Roberta ~ http://txscrappermom.blogspot.com/
Kate ~ http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/
Shannon ~ http://designsofapaddymack.typepad.com/
Heather ~ http://housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com/
Ana Maria ~ http://www.shortycreations.blogspot.com/
Gwen ~ http://thisandthatbygwen.blogspot.com/
Gloria ~ http://gloriasgoofycraftspot.blogspot.com/
Tanya ~ http://www.studio5380.com/
Nicole ~ http://teachdanz.blogspot.com/
Sherrie ~ http://www.sherriescraps.blogspot.com/
Brianna ~ http://bloeffelbein.blogspot.com/
Karen ~ http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/
Leanne ~ http://www.createdbyleanne.blogspot.com/
Kimberly ~ http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/

Cat Treat Box

I had such a wonderful time creating my little lion box for yesterday's My Craft Spot challenge post, I decided to make a cat box as well!  The cat file is from the same Lettering Delights' set as the lion.  There are actually quite a few animals to choose from in the set.

As I was assembling my cat box, I decided to dress her up a bit.  I used two stamps from My Craft Spot's Build a Valentine set to create my "You're purr-fect!" sentiment.  This stamp set is fabulous and contains a number of words and phrases that can be used year round for a variety of projects. 

I also used the Bow - Small metal dies to create the sweet little bow for my cat.  After I cut the pieces, I ran them through my Cuttlebug with the new Decorative Dots embossing folder from Stampin' Up.  I ran the light coloured tummy piece through the Cuttlebug too.  All-in-all, a quick and easy project that makes a fun box for giving little treats!

Don't forget that this week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Anything goes".  You have until Monday to create anything of your choice in order to be eligible to win this week's prize.  Happy crafting! 

Lion Treat Box

This week's My Craft Spot challenge is "Anything Goes"!  Feel free to create the project of your choice to enter for a chance to win this week's prize.

For my project, I used a Lettering Delights' file: Animal Boxes and Bags.  I purchased this set for the cat (come back tomorrow to view!) but love all the animals.  For this week's challenge, I decided to give the lion a go - simply because of his fabulous mane!  This was run through my Cuttlebug to give it a full look of fur!

This box was incredibly easy to put together - although I did make some adjustments once everything was cut out.  I actually cut off the top of the base in order to adhere it to the front as I wanted the head to be part of the opening flap.  I thought it would be more fun that way.  

I used My Craft Spot's Lacy Banners metal dies for the little crest at the bottom.  I thought the edges worked so wonderfully well with the mane.  Inside the crest, I added a little heart cut with My Craft Spot's Small Alphabet metal dies.  (There are a number of sweet shapes in this set too!)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design team has created - and then be sure to link up your own "Anything Goes" project! 

Welcome Baby Boy!

This week's My Craft Spot challenge is "Cute Critters".  I am over-the-moon delighted to announce that I have a NEW nephew!  I made this card to welcome him to this world.

The sweet little zebra is an SVG from Treasure Box Designs.  As I was making a baby boy card, I decided to give the zebra blue stripes. I inked all the edges as I knew I wanted to use a white background.  I embossed the white mat with a hearts folder from HMK Cards.

The little banner was cut using Tiny Banners and Toppers metal dies.  The white layers were then stamped with one of the Pattern Blocks stamps and then layered with letters cut from the Small Alphabet metal dies.

At the bottom of my card, I added a banner cut with one of the Ribbon Banners - Straight metal dies.  I stamped it with a sentiment from the Banner Sentiments set and finished things off with some enamel dots from my wonderful blogging friend, Susie of Susie Craft Happy.  (Thanks again, Susie!)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the wonderful creations created by the talented design team.  Then, link up your own Cute Critters creation for a chance to win this week's prize!