Small Bits of Paper

Girly Girl Birthday Card

2012-02-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

Click HERE to see today's

Fantabulous Challenge project post.

My niece will be 14 on Sunday and I made this card for her. Sophie is all girl so the timing is perfect for this week's My Craft Spot "Girly Girl" project challenge.

I used Elegant Edges and Plantin SchoolBook for the card base. The pink mat is cut from a metallic paper and embossed with my Cuttlebug.

The snail is from Paisley and cut with scraps left over from my Valentine's Day projects. I enlarged the flower on the shell in order to cut a circle big enough for the little treats cup from Stampin' Up. I filled the cup with pink Smarties (candy coated milk chocolate). The fun googly eyes were a gift from my sweet friend Carri at DoubleClick Connections. I've looked all over for them and have never been able to find them around here - so Carri very kindly sent me a pack. They're always a hit on my critter cards!

The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Friends & Neighbours Inside & Out stamp set. I punched it out with a Stampin' Up punch and layered it over the negative cut from the flower on the snail. I did lots and lots of doodling on my card, using both a white gel pen and black marker. I also dressed up my snail with some snow white crinkle ribbon and Divine Valentine baker's twine - both from My Craft Spot.

The inside of my card was stamped with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Candy Corn Kisses stamp set. Although the stamps are from a Halloween line, I thought the sentiment was perfect with the candy card I had made.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to check out the rest of the Girly Girl projects made by the design team - and then be sure to create your own and link up to be eligible for this week's fabulous prize!

*I will also be linking up this card for this week's Exploring Cricut Challenge: It's So Sweet.

You're a Cut Above Card

2012-02-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

I've always enjoyed plays on words and so was delighted to learn of this week's Fantabulous Cricut challenge: Fun with Puns. I had a few different ideas in mind but when my daughter asked me to make a thank you card for our hair stylist, my decision was made. (Thanks to all of you who voted for Erin's Valentine photo on our stylist's Facebook page. Erin and Kyle came first so won the big prize of a dinner for two, flowers, chocolates and a hair do! As such, a thank you card for the stylist was in order.)

I used Elegant Edges and Plantin SchoolBook to make the card base and the whimsical red mat. The scissors and swirl are from Wall Décor and More and cut from a metallic cardstock. I added a brad from my stash. I used a paper trimmer to cut the 3 layers of mats and embossed the top layer with my Cuttlebug, using a folder from the Give a Hoot companion set. I inked the edges with Chocolate Chip ink from Stampin' Up. The sentiment is from Scrappy Moms Stamps Quirky Quotes stamp set. I finished things off with three red pearls and some chocolate crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.

There are some great pun projects at Fantabulous Cricut this week so be sure to head over and see what the rest of the design team has come up with - and to link up your own card!

How Do I Love Thee?

2012-02-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

It seems that love is certainly in the air with Valentine's Day right around the corner. It's not my week to design at either My Craft Spot or Fantabulous Cricut - but I spent some time this weekend making a card for my husband and it fits both those challenges so I decided to play along anyway!

I purchased Love Struck two years ago when it first came out - and it's been sitting in my cupboard - still in plastic - since then!! I finally decided that it was time to open it up and I'm glad I did. The image that I used for my card is from Love Struck. I coated it with Crackle Accents to give it an antique look. The border on the card was created using a Cuttlebug folder as well as two different border punches and some inking. I stitched around the card and along the border. The hearts that I added are from various punches.

The sentiments are from My Craft Spot's Always and Forever set. As soon as I saw the stamps I knew that I'd be using them to make a card for my favourite man!

To finish things off, I added a bow made with cranberry crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot. I also added three red oversized pearls.

I used the same border folder on the inside of my card and included a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Build a Valentine set.

If you still have Valentine's Day cards to make, you can play along at My Craft Spot and Fantabulous Cricut! (Just be sure to include a heart on your card if playing at Fantabulous Cricut.)

~ W I N N E R ~

Thanks so much to all of you who played along (and left such encouraging comments) in last week's My Craft Spot Valentine's Day Stamp Release Party. I went to random.org and the winner for a stamp set of choice is Bex from Kawaii Krafts. Congratulations Bex!! Please email me at smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail.com [remove spaces] with your contact information and which stamp set you would like from My Craft Spot.

My Craft Spot Valentine Stamp Release & Giveaway

2012-02-02T07:00:00.004-05:00

I am so excited to be showing you some of the projects that I've made with the new My Craft Spot Valentine stamp sets: Build a Valentine and Always and Forever. These sets are just perfect for creating all sorts of Valentine and love projects. There's even an anniversary stamp!

My first project is a set of cello bags filled with red and pink Smarties (candy coated milk chocolate, similar to - but much better than - MandMs).

For the toppers, I made rosettes from patterned paper and then added hearts from Gypsy Wanderings. The white hearts are embossed using the inside of a 3x3 Cuttlebug butterfly folder. I finished things off with a little "Be mine" tag from the Always and Forever set. These treats are currently displayed on our dining room table and make for a lovely way to decorate for Valentine's Day - with a treat to enjoy at the end!

The base of this card was made with Elegant Edges and Plantin' SchoolBook. I embossed the top portion of the white mat with a tiny hearts folder from the Cuttlebug Love Language set and scored some lines with my Martha Stewart score board. The cat image is from Meow and I stamped the cats' eyes with stamps from Peachy Keen. The noses are covered with Glossy Accents and I drew the little mouths by hand.

The sentiment is from the new Build a Valentine set and I finished things off with some fun Divine Valentine twine from My Craft Spot and lots of faux stitching.

These candy tents were cut by hand, with the topper punched with a Stampin' Up border punch. The bases of the tents were run through the Cuttlebug using the Heart Blocks embossing folder.

I stamped the tops with a Sweetheart sentiment from Always and Forever. I added some baker's twine from My Craft Spot and a button to each - as well as a little baggie of Hershey's Kisses - to complete my project.

When I saw these treat bags at our local Bulk Barn, I couldn't believe my eyes! It looks as though they were made to go with the Build a Valentine set from My Craft Spot! Of course, I had to buy some and filled them with some heart-shaped jujubes. Both tags were cut using Wrap It Up and tied with some twine from my stash. The tags were quick and easy to put together - but make for such a fun way to dress up the bags.

For the frog bag, I cut a little frog from Paisley and then stamped the "Looking for a prince?" sentiment from Build a Valentine.

The base of the ladybird is from Walk In My Garden and I created the custom wings (to coordinate better with the ladybirds on the bag) using hearts from Create a Critter, cutting the larger heart in half. The "Love Bug" sentiment is also from Build a Valentine.

My final project is a little card made with conversation heart stamps from Build a Valentine. I stamped the hearts on little hearts cut from Create a Critter. The flowers were also cut from Create a Critter. The stems are stamped and the mat embossed with a Hallmark embossing folder. The grass was cut using Martha Stewart fringe scissors. I did some doodling and also went over the sentiment and pink "stitching" and grass with a Stardust gel pen - so there's a nice glimmer in real life. I finished everything off with some Divine Valentine twine from My Craft Spot.

Here are the full sets of the stamps I've used for my projects above. For many more project ideas and inspiration, head to My Craft Spot to see what Kimberly and the rest of the design team have been making! I always love to see the different ideas and creations.

~ G I V E A W A Y ~

How would you like to win a My Craft Spot stamp set of your choice? Kimberly has very generously donated a set to be given away on my blog. All you need to do is:

make sure you are a follower here at Small Bits of Paper
leave a comment on this post.

Don't forget to tell me which My Craft Spot stamp set is your favourite, in case you are the winner! I will draw a name at random and announce the winner on Monday, so you have until Sunday at noon (EST) to enter.

~ W I N N E R S ~

Thanks to all of you who left such lovely comments last week's blog hops! The winner of the $10 My Craft Spot gift certificate for the Cards for Kids Valentine's Day Blog Hop is Larelyn of Handmade from My Heart and the winner of the $10 My Craft Spot gift certificate for the Cricut Craftin' Grammy's Cricut Friends Blog Hop is Bobby of Bits & Pieces. Congratulations Larelyn and Bobby!! Please email me at smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail.com [remove spaces] so I can arrange to have your gift certificates sent to you.

*I am going to link up my Smarties tubes and Sweetheart tents at Decorate to Celebrate, where this week's theme is Valentine's Day Party.

Valen-tiny Cards

2012-01-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you all so much for the comments you left for me last week during the two blog hops in which I participated. I did read them all - despite a very busy week! Earlier this month, I applied for a temporary learning facilitator position at a college in a nearby city. I figured it was a long shot, but the job is exactly the sort of thing I'd like to do - and one of the reasons I am pursuing my M.Ed. Well, not only did I get an interview - but I was offered the job last Monday!! Orientation was Tuesday and I started working on Thursday so life has been a bit of a whirlwind! The other staff are very supportive, friendly and helpful which is wonderful as I'm jumping in with two feet mid-semester. It's such a great team and I'm thrilled and feel truly blessed to be included. The only thing I don't like about the position is the commute - and it seems that Mother Nature is not being at all kind to me with all the snow and freezing rain we've been having... Anyway, the position goes until the end of April so I will be very busy until then. I will certainly comment as I can - but there may be delays in my blog visits.

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the theme is "Valen-tiny" - make a 3x3 card for Valentine's Day. The challenge at My Craft Spot is "Anything Goes" so I was able to combine the two challenges. I made a set of four cards to add to my favourite people's lunch boxes on Valentine's Day.

The little hearts were cut using Doodlecharms. I stamped the white heart with a sentiment from the new My Craft Spot Always and Forever set. The top pink heart is covered with Crackle Accents. The white mat was embossed with tiny hearts from the Cuttlebug Love Language set. The white border was punched with little hearts from a Stampin' Up border punch. I added some blossom baker's twine from My Craft Spot and a button on each card to finish things off.

This Thursday, it's my turn to showcase projects made with the NEW My Craft Spot Valentine stamp sets - and one lucky winner will win a set of stamps! I will also announce the winners of my other two My Craft Spot giveaways so you still have time to enter those if you haven't already: HERE and HERE.

Cricut Craftin' Friends Blog Hop - Day 2

2012-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

We're so happy you could join us for this hop celebrating the one year blogiversary of Cricut Craftin Grammy (Suzanne). Suzanne has asked a few of her Cricut message board friends, as well as her design team friends (Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, Lasting Memories and Sweet Sassy Diva), to join her in this two day blog hop.

Click HERE for my post for the "Cricut Craftin'" Friends Blog Hop Day 1.

Suzanne has some blog candy to share. In order to be eligible to win her candy, you must need to leave comments along each blog each day. If you leave a comment on all the blogs both days, your name will be entered into the random drawing twice. The random winner will receive a $25 gift card from their choice of Michaels or Joanns. You have until January 30th to post your comments.

Let's get hopping!! If you've hopped over from Faith Abigail at Faith Abigail Designs, then you are in the right place!! If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our FUN, then please click HERE to start at the beginning with Suzanne's blog.

For the hop today, I've created a set of thank you cards. I copied an idea I saw in Cards magazine - the embossing edition. I embossed the top portion of the card and scored lines on the bottom. "Thanks" was cut using Kate's ABCs and then run through my crimper. I did some inking and added a flower and some gems to finish things off.

Blog Candy!

Here at Small Bits of Paper, I am giving away a $10US gift certificate to My Craft Spot!! To be eligible to win this prize, you need to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post. For an extra entry, leave a comment on yesterday's Cricut Craftin' Friends Blog Hop post - HERE. (I am also giving away another $10 gift certificate for My Craft Spot HERE.) Both winners will be announced February 2.

The next stop on the hop is Stacia of Happy and Scrappy.

List of Blog Hop Participants:

Suzanne http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Also posting for Cindy who does not have a blog

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Friends

Charlotte http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Melanie http://melaniemakes.blogspot.com/

Beckie http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

Faith Abigal http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

Kate http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Lasting Memories

Stacia http://happyandscrappytoo.blogspot.com/

Michele F http://fishmememoriesandmore.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Karen http://creationsbykw.blogspot.com/

Denise http://thruthelookingglass-glassgraffitix2.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://scrappinforkenzie.blogspot.com/

Jennasa http://findtimetocreate.blogspot.com/

Kimberly http://leokc34.blogspot.com/

Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Message Board Friends

Terri http://craftmeaway.blogspot.com/

Brenda http:// friendscraftinwithfriends.blogspot.com/

Rachelle http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Shawnee http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Sweet Sassy Diva Blog Friends

Lori http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Mindy http://grammiescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Tina http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com/

Jen http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/

Cricut Craftin' Friends Blog Hop - Day 1

2012-01-27T06:00:00.012-05:00

Suzanne has some blog candy to share. In order to be eligible to win her candy, you need to leave comments along each blog each day. If you leave a comment on all the blogs both days, your name will be entered into the random drawing twice. The random winner will receive a $25 gift card from their choice of Michaels or Joanns.

This is a TWO-DAY hop. Be sure to check out both days so you don't miss any creativeness. As there is a large number of participants, Suzanne will give you until January 30th to post your comments. Thanks for joining us!

Let's get hopping!! If you've hopped over from Faith Abigail at Faith Abigail Designs, then you are in the right place!! If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our fun, then please click HERE to start at the beginning with Suzanne's blog.

For the hop today, I've created a birthday card. I actually saw a card like this ages ago but I'm afraid that I no longer know to whom I should give credit. (Please tell me if you know, so I can add the information here.) I created the card based with window using George and Basic Shapes. The scalloped frame is from Mini Monograms. I used Doodlecharms for the bear (and added paws) and Pooh Font for the swing. The vine and leaves are from ZooBalloo. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Inside & Out Set #2.

Blog Candy!

Here at Small Bits of Paper, I am giving away a $10US gift certificate to My Craft Spot!! To be eligible to win this prize, you need to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post. Come back and leave a comment on tomorrow's post for a second chance to win! (I am also giving away another $10 gift certificate for My Craft Spot HERE.) Both winners will be announced February 2.

Now it's time to hop over to visit Stacia of Happy and Scrappy.

List of Blog Hop Participants:

Suzanne http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Also posting for Cindy who does not have a blog

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog Friends

Charlotte http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Melanie http://melaniemakes.blogspot.com/

Beckie http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

Faith Abigal http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

Kate http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Lasting Memories

Stacia http://happyandscrappytoo.blogspot.com/

Michele F http://fishmememoriesandmore.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Karen http://creationsbykw.blogspot.com/

Denise http://thruthelookingglass-glassgraffitix2.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://scrappinforkenzie.blogspot.com/

Jennasa http://findtimetocreate.blogspot.com/

Kimberly http://leokc34.blogspot.com/

Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Message Board Friends

Terri http://craftmeaway.blogspot.com/

Brenda http:// friendscraftinwithfriends.blogspot.com/

Rachelle http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Shawnee http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Sweet Sassy Diva Blog Friends

Lori http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Mindy http://grammiescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Tina http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com/

Jen http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/

E.A.D DESIGNS Project

2012-01-25T09:41:00.000-05:00

Check out the Cards for Kids Valentine's Day Blog Hop HERE.

Last week, E.A.D DESIGNS was the generous sponsor at Fantabulous Cricut. I had been sent a package of goodies to try out, but unfortunately, they did not arrive on time for me to be able to use them on my project. However, when the package did arrive, I was excited to give them a go!

I used a Bitty Bag from My Craft Spot as my base. I used Elegant Edges to make a frame for my sweet little girl sticker from E.A.D DESIGNS and created some word art using Winter Frolic. I used a Fiskars border punch on the top of the bag and then also punched a strip of cardstock. I added some brads to the front layer (but punched through all four layers) and tied some baker's twine from My Craft Spot at the top.

Click HERE to check out the rest of the Fantabulous Cricut projects using products from E.A.D DESIGNS.

Cards for Kids Valentine's Day Blog Hop

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Cards for Kids Valentines Day Blog! If you have come from a visit with Jessica at Cricut After Dark, you're in the right place. If you're just joining us, please go to Faith Abigail's blog at Faith Abigail Designs and start at the beginning.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show someone how much you love them. So this year, let's send a little love to those that need it most!

For this blog hop, each one of us has created a Valentine's Day card for a sick child and we're asking you to do the same! Simply create a Valentine's Day card, link it to this blog entry (link-up will remain open until February 7 at 12:00am) and then mail it to:

Faith Abigail

10621 Fuller Ridge Circle

Charlotte, NC 28270

On February 10th, all of the cards will be collected and donated to a local children's hospital. Please include a small message inside your card. Envelopes are not necessary.

Now, what would a blog hop be without prizes?! We have some amazing prizes donated by some very talented and generous women and lots of ways to win!

Krystal Andrew at Getting Cricky has donated one of beautiful Valentine Stamps sets!

Nicole at The Twinery has donated The Ultimate Colour Sampler Pack featuring fourteen gorgeous colours of twine!

Monique at Monique Griffith Designs has generously donated FIVE of her fantastic Cricut Kits: The Simple Life, Toy Story, The Stampede, Mom and Me, and Catch a Wave.

All winners will be chosen by random.org. In order to win:

Be a follower of Faith Abigail Designs @ Faith Abigail Designs (one entry)
Like Faith Abigail Designs on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/faithabigaildesigns (one entry)
Leave a comment on this blog post (one entry)
Leave a comment on each of the designers' blog posts (one entry each)
Post about this blog hop on your blog, website or Facebook and link back to this post (one entry each)
Create a Valentine's Day card, link it to this entry and mail it to the provided address. Please create and link as many projects as you'd like! (TWO entries for each card submitted!)

Here is the card I made for the Cards for Kids Valentine's Day Blog Hop:

The little dinosaur was cut using Create a Critter. Using my Gypsy, I hid the contours of his spots in order to use little hearts (also from Create a Critter) instead. I stamped the sentiment using the new Build a Valentine set from My Craft Spot and then added two little hearts using a stamp from My Craft Spot's new Always & Forever set. (If you haven't had a chance to check out these new stamps sets, head over to My Craft Spot now! Currently, Kimberly has an amazing package deal for stamps and Valentine's twine - perfect for all your Valentine's Day crafts!) I finished my card off with a bit of baker's twine from My Craft Spot and also stamped "Happy Valentine's Day" inside. The scalloped circle and square were created using punches from Stampin' Up.

Blog Candy!

Thank you for checking out my Cards for Kids Valentine's Day card! Please continue along to Larelyn at Handmade From My Heart and don't forget to check out all of the wonderful projects that the rest of the designers have created!

Blog Hop Order:

Amy @ http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/

Beckie @ http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

Brandy @ http://craftingwithfaith.blogspot.com/

Cathie @ http://www.creativecutterroom.com/

Charlotte @ http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Jessica @ http://cricutafterdark.blogspot.com/

Kate @ http://www.smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Larelyn @ http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com/

Lisa @ http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/

Marlene @ http://www.scrappincookie.blogspot.com/

Melissa @ http://cricutkateer.blogspot.com/

Melanie @ http://melaniemakes.blogspot.com/

Michele @ http://chelemom.blogspot.com/

Sabrina @ http://scrappinwithsabrina.blogspot.com/

Suzanne @ http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Basketball Birthday Card

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

I made this card for my husband's birthday. My husband is quite athletic and loves sports of all kinds, especially basketball, so it was only natural that my thoughts turned to his favourite sport when making a card for him!

I designed my card using Campin' Critters for the base. The white mat was embossed with my Cuttlebug. I used Basketball for the main image/word art and Kate's ABCs for "of attention". The little banner is actually part of a letter O (also from Kate's ABCs). I stamped the banner with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments Set #1. I also used some My Craft Spot Halloween baker's twine and a brad from my stash to finish things off. My husband loved it!

This week at My Craft Spot, we're singing "Let's hear it for the boys!" and are challenging you to create something "typically male" - robots, sports, vehicles, etc. Be sure to head over to My Craft Spot to check out the rest of the design team inspiration and to link up your own "boy" project in order to be eligible for this week's prize.

Also, over the next couple of weeks, each My Craft Spot designer is taking time to showcase Kimberly's new Valentine stamp sets. Be sure to visit designers on their highlighted days in order to win fabulous prizes from My Craft Spot!! Plus, the stamp sets are available for purchase now!

Be sure to come back here tomorrow for the Cards for Kids Valentine's Day Blog Hop, hosted by Faith Abigail Designs. I'll be giving away a gift certificate for My Craft Spot! Plus, you'll have the opportunity to create a card for a child in hospital.

You're So Cool Lunchbox Notes

2012-01-16T07:00:00.005-05:00

Brrrr.... We pretty much spent the weekend indoors as it was FREEZING here! Fortunately, temperatures are forecast to rise a bit today so things should get better. Although I'm not a fan of the cold or snow, I am excited to take part in this week's Fantabulous Cricut challenge: Snow Fun! We are challenging you to include a snowflake or snowman on your project.

For this week's challenge, I made a quick set of lunchbox notelets for my favourite people. I used Elegant Edges for the card bases and mats (DCWV). The little snowflakes were cut with a Sizzix die and then stamped with a Peachy Keen face. I added a bit of Glossy Accents on the eyes too. I then inked the edges of each snowflake with a pale blue ink. I also stamped a fun sentiment from the limited-edition Snowman's Prayer stamp set from Robin's Creative Cottage. There are just a few sets left, so be sure to pick one up before they are gone! I finished things off with a bit of baker's twine from My Craft Spot.

This week, Fantabulous Cricut is being sponsored by E.A.D DESIGNS. E.A.D DESIGNS allows you to change the look of any room in just a few minutes. Their products can be used on more than just walls and on many surfaces - including paper!

E.A.D DESIGNS provided a number of the Fantabulous design team with some product to use. Unfortunately, my sample is taking the scenic route to get to me so I will be back with another wintry project once it gets here! However, be sure to head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see what others have been done with the wonderful products from E.A.D DESIGNS.

********

I'm also going to link up my project at the Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge Blog, where the theme is... ANYTHING! (Just be sure to use a Peachy Keen stamp on your project.)

Cake Box

2012-01-09T07:00:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year! I've been on holidays (and enjoying a break from reality!) so haven't posted for a few weeks. I do hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and holiday celebrations. Today, we all head back to work and school. Last semester, I finished up the course requirements of my M.Ed. and so begin my thesis project this semester. I'm excited and scared at the same time!

I've always wanted to make a little cake-shaped box, and this week's "It's Delicious" challenge at My Craft Spot has provided me with the perfect opportunity to do so. I used Tags, Bags, Boxes and More for the box and used a Martha Stewart lace punch for the trim. I added cream seam binding from My Craft Spot around the trim. The large paper flower and leaves were cut with Flower Shoppe and I used little punches to make the smaller flowers on the top and back of the box. Glass beads were added to the centre of all the flowers too.

I finished things off with some Vintage Vanilla crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot and a My Craft Spot sentiment from the Friends and Neighbours stamp set. Papers are from Cosmo Cricket's Double Deck stack and the tag was hand cut from a piece of scrap cardstock.

Please head over to My Craft Spot for some more It's Delicious inspiration, and to add your own delectable paper treat to this week's challenge for your chance to win a super prize. Be sure to check out the new baker's twine, stamp sets and Bitty Bags too - all perfect for your Valentine's creations!

Christmas Tags (and a Bag)

2011-12-19T06:00:00.002-05:00

This week at My Craft Spot AND Fantabulous Cricut, we are challenging you to create tags. With lots of gifts to be given, this challenge is the perfect way to create a little something extra to adorn your packages.

Some of the design team members at FCCB were provided with cardstock packages from Core'dinations. I received two packs: Black Magic and Vintage. I've heard lots about Core'dinations but have never owned any myself. I was so excited to use the cardstock that I made two projects to try things out.

My first project is a gift bag with tag. The bag itself is prefabricated. I cut a panel from the Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock pack and distressed it by using sandpaper and scrunching it. The colour behind the black is yellow. The wisemen image, cut from Inspired Heart, has a background colour of light purple. I used sandpaper on the image and then covered it with a thin coat of Crackle Accents (which I just discovered thanks to Kimberly at My Craft Spot). Using the yellow-backed cardstock, I cut a border, punched it with a Stampin' Up punch, and then distressed it with sandpaper. I also used some sand seam binding from My Craft Spot and then added some light purple gems (which were a gift from my fellow Canadian blogging friend, Heather from Princess' Paper Projects).

The tag was cut from Inspired Heart. I wanted the star to stand out a bit more so cut a larger one from Winter Frolic and popped it on the original. There are actually four layers to the tag - a yellow-based frame, a purple-based frame and then the top star-frame in yellow with another yellow-based star on top. Each layer was distressed and the star also received a thin coat of Crackle Accents. I attached the tag to the bag with the same sand seam binding from My Craft Spot that I had used as a border on the bag itself. I stamped the back of the tag with sentiments from My Craft Spot's Merry Christmas set.

My second tag was created using the Core'dinations Vintage Collection cardstock pack (although the white and black are regular cardstock).

This fun tag is a big one, measuring almost 7 inches high! (It's to go on a rather large gift for my son.) The green base is cut from Wrap It Up and I then covered the bottom portion with blue Core'dinations cardstock which I had torn. I love the look! Santa was cut from Christmas Cheer. I embossed his beard with a D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder and added Glossy Accents to his boots and the pompom on his hat. The little snowflakes were punched with a Martha Stewart corner punch and I just used the negative pieces. Each snowflake has a little gem on top. I used a fun sentiment from My Craft Spot's 'Tis the Season set and then doodled all around the tag. Santa has a bit of doodling too. I finished everything off with a fabulous button from my sweet blogging friend, Audrey from Cute and Some, and some great Caribbean crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the rest of the design team inspiration - and to see what else can be done with Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock! And don't forget to go to My Craft Spot to see all the wonderful projects there as well. Kimberly just released some new twine - with colours perfect for Christmas and Valentine's Day! It's not too late to add to your Christmas wish list!! Plus, link up your projects at both blogs for your chance to win some fabulous prizes!

I wish you all a safe, happy and joyous Christmas!

May the Beauty of the Season Card

2011-12-12T07:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to another Fantabulous Cricut challenge! I am especially excited about this week's challenge as My Craft Spot is the sponsor - a meeting of my two favourite challenge blogs! Our theme is "Rolling in Ribbon" and we are challenging you to add ribbon to your project. Please remember to use a Cricut cut as well.

I had very limited time for my project this week so kept things simple. (Things HAVE eased up and I am slowly working my way through to pay some blog visits - but life is still very busy. 'Tis the season!) I followed the same colour scheme I used last week too. I cut the frame and shadow from Elegant Edges and embossed the cream cardstock with a Tim Holtz music folder. The reindeer is from Gypsy Wanderings and I used Pop Dots to adhere it to the frame. The top portion of the mat is embossed with a Sizzix snowflakes folder. I also added two score lines to separate the embossed portion from the sentiment area. The sentiment is a stamp from My Craft Spot's "Merry Christmas" set. There are such lovely stamps and sentiments in that pack. I also used some rich Scarlet Red crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot and added a button from my stash. To complement the button, I added some stardust Gelly Roll dots all around the reindeer. I am happy with the way my card turned out and it's already been mailed off to wish a special couple a very Merry Christmas!

I'm sure you all have a stash of wonderful ribbon and now's the time to use it! Head over to Fantabulous Cricut to link your project - and perhaps you'll be the lucky winner of some ribbon from My Craft Spot!

(I haven't entered a challenge in ages so am also going to link this up at Scrappy Moms Stamps where the challenge is Christmas.)

Sweet Treats Gift Bag

2011-12-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

First of all, I'd like to let you know that I have not been avoiding you! I've got a lot on my plate right now as the semester wraps up and have been burning the candle at both ends. I have a final paper due next week (which I am hoping to finish up within the next day or two) and am REALLY looking forward to some "me" time - which will include visits to some of my favourite blogs! I'm so sorry that I've been missing your projects. I always enjoy seeing your creations.

I actually created my bag for this week's project at My Craft Spot but noticed that it also fits the requirements for the challenge at Fantabulous Cricut so decided to add it to the Design Team line-up there as well. At My Craft Spot, the challenge is to make a Christmas treats package - and at Fantabulous Cricut, the challenge is to create a gift package (or a gift, or even a project with a gift image). I go CRAZY each year with my Christmas baking and love to make sweet treats to give away - and eat! (So crazy that we are usually still eating Christmas treats in March!) For a good number of years now, a dear friend and I get together each year and spend a full day preparing dozens and dozens of fancy shortbread cookies. I had our fancy shortbread cookies in mind when I created my bag.

I used Wrap It Up to create the bag and tag. They are from the bride image, but I deleted the contours of the bride to have a solid bag and tag. The ornament is from Jolly Holidays and I used rather a lot of Glossy Accents to make my ornament look more authentic. The snowflake is from a Martha Stewart punch. To create the sentiment, I used "sweet" from My Craft Spot's Friends and Neighbours set and "treats" from My Craft Spot's Candy Corn Kisses. I also added a gold eyelet to the tag. The ribbon is scarlet red crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot and the gold string is from my stash. I finished things off with a gold gem on the snowflake and a button on the bow. This would have been a fairly simply bag to put together had it not been for my indecisiveness on the tag. I think I made about 5 or 6 different tags before I finally settled on this one!! I'm blaming my insanity on my sleepless nights... The good news is, however, that I now have an elegant bag in which to present some of my elegant fancy shortbread.

Now it's your turn! Please head to My Craft Spot AND Fantabulous Cricut for some wonderful inspiration - and then link up your own projects. By the end of this week, I'm hoping to have some free time and would LOVE to spend some of it being inspired by your work.

Peace on Earth

2011-11-28T07:00:00.003-05:00

It's time for another Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut! This week, it's all about holiday cards. As I celebrate Christmas, I decided to make a Christmas card.

I used Celebrate with Flourish for the poinsettia image, but then built on it using petals from Wrap It Up. I inked each petal using Stampin' Up ink as well as some gold Stampology ink - and added tiny gold brads to the centre of each flower. The card base and frame are both from Elegant Edges. (The card base was created by welding two images together and by removing the half circles on either side of the card in order for the border to fit across.) The Cherry Cobbler border was punched with a Stampin' Up border punch. I stamped my card with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Merry Christmas set and also used some My Craft Spot pine green seam binding. I inked the card base with both Cherry Cobbler and gold-coloured inks. I finished things off with a couple of wine-coloured pearls.

With Christmas - and other celebrations - just around the corner, please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to link up your own holiday card!

Flower Shoppe Birthday Card - and a winner!

2011-11-21T09:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another My Craft Spot challenge! This week, it's all about Handmade Flower Power! This provided me with just the right opportunity to use my Flower Shoppe cartridge again.

I had such a fun time creating this 5x5 card! It came together so easily with the Flower Shoppe cuts. I can understand why this cartridge gets such rave reviews - and I'm joining in the accolades too! I used kraft cardstock, a blue/grey shimmer paper from DCWV's Luxury Stack and some green patterned paper from my scrap file.

The larger flower was cut using Heart2 and Scallop4. (I cut off one of the petals on the very top layer.) After inking the edges with a pale blue ink, I used a petal tool to distress and curl the petals and then added a touch of Glossy Accents and crystal glitter. The double pearl center is actually from a necklace I purchased at the dollar store - with crafting in mind!! The leaves are Ruffle5. I scored down the middle of each and shaped a bit with the rounded end of my petal roller. I created the small flowers in the corner by punching little flowers using various paper punches that I have and layering the cuts. I inked the edges of those and added little pearls to the middle of each.

The frames (white and green) are both from Elegant Edges. I also did a double border using a lace punch from Martha Stewart, sewing them together and then adding some My Craft Spot Sky Blue Crinkle Ribbon above. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Inside & Out Set #2. As it's a clear polymer stamp, I was able to round it on my acrylic block in order to fit the shape of the frame. Once I had stamped it, I went over the sentiment with my StarDust Gelly Roll pen. I stitched the borders of this card and added more pearls to finish everything off. I'm so happy with how this turned out. It was created for the woman I most love, admire and respect in this world, my wonderful mum.

Now it's your turn to create a project with a handmade flower for the My Craft Spot Handmade Flower Power challenge! If you have a Cricut, there are all sorts of cartridges that can help you. You can also create flowers with paper punches - or simply by cutting paper, cardstock, tissue, etc.! I can't wait to see what you make!

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Thanks to all of you who played along in last week's Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl. I appreciate all your lovely comments on my rosette pumpkin. I went to Random.org, and the lucky winner of the $15 My Craft Spot gift certificate is #60 - Tanya of Nonna's Craft Corner. Congratulations Tanya!! Please email me your contact information at smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail.com [remove spaces]. You have two weeks to claim your prize.

Cricut Cake Mini Giveaway!

2011-11-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

Cricut Couple (Bobby designs with me for My Craft Spot) is giving away a Cricut Cake Mini - along with all sorts of other crafting treats! In addition, Bobby is showcasing fabulous Christmas cards created with his Cricut. Be sure to check out the fun at Cricut Couple!!

Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl

2011-11-14T08:00:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Small Bits of Paper and the Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl...Fantabulous Cricut's version of a blog hop!

It's Fall and everyone at Fantabulous Cricut has decided to create projects to give thanks for our Harvest Blessings! Each Design Team member will be featuring an original Fall project that includes Brown, Orange and Red – along with at least one Cricut cut.

If you've come from visiting Jewels at My Beautiful, Crazy...Scrappy Life, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start HERE.

Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration! There will be PRIZES along the way at some of our DT members' blogs AND there is a Grand Prize up for grabs at FCCB for one participant who submits a "Harvest Blessings" project!

A few weeks ago, I came across a rosette pumpkin created by Audrey Pettit at The Kraft Journal. (If you are interested in making one of these pumpkins, you will also find the instructions on Audrey's blog HERE.) As soon as I saw it, I knew that I wanted to make one as well. I was also fortunate enough to purchase the cardstock on sale - it takes 8 pieces of 12x12 orange for the base of the pumpkin alone - so was able to make this for under $3!! That price, however, does not take into account the value of my time! If found this project to be rather time-consuming, but did enjoy putting it together.

To adorn my pumpkin, I used Speaking of Fall for the leaves and Mini Monograms for the little scalloped circles between the layers and at the top of my pumpkin (although you can't see those). I hand cut a little banner and stamped it with "Give Thanks", a sentiment from the Happy Fall set from My Craft Spot. I added a button, as well as some baker's twine and chocolate crinkle ribbon, also from My Craft Spot. I finished things off with some very thin strips of red cardstock which I curled and adhered behind the other embellishments.

I will be giving away a $15 gift certificate for

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. If you are a follower, you may leave a second comment for an extra entry into my giveaway. I will draw a number using Random.org and announce the lucky winner next Monday, November 21.

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Now it's your turn! Let's see your Harvest Blessings projects! Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project and be sure to use the colours Brown, Orange and Red as well!

Next stop… the talented Larelyn at Handmade From My Heart. Go and see what she has in store for you today! And when you're done, make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Harvest Blessings Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest!

Happy Crawling!

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Here is a list of all participants:

Beckie - http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/

Cathie – http://www.creativecutter.org/

Charlotte - http://alittlebitofdetail.blogspot.com/

Crystal - http://www.littlecreationsblog.blogspot.com/

Faith Abigail - http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

Glenda - http://glendascards.blogspot.com/

Jamie A - http://scrapqueen141.blogspot.com/

Jennie - http://earthyscrap.blogspot.com/

Jessica - http://cricutafterdark.blogspot.com/

Jewels – http://beautifulcrazyscrappylife.blogspot.com/

Kate – http://www.smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Larelyn - http://www.handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com/

Lisa F - http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/

Marlene – http://www.scrappincookie.blogspot.com/

Melanie – http://melaniemakes.blogspot.com/

Melissa – http://cricutkateer.blogspot.com/

Peggy – http://dailygracecreations.blogspot.com/

Robin - http://robinscreativecottage.blogspot.com/

Sabrina – http://www.scrappinwithsabrina.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://www.sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com/

Sherrie – http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/

Suzanne - http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

My Craft Spot "Jingle All the Way" Stamp Set Winner

2011-11-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much for the lovely comments you left for me last week. It was so fun to create my projects with the new My Craft Spot Winter and Christmas stamp sets, ribbons and twine! EACH blog along the way had a stamp set up for grabs - so if you took part in the hop, be sure to check out the rest of the team to see who won at each blog!

And now for the winner of the Jingle All the Way stamp set here on my blog:

#49 - Wendy (aka Roo)!

Congratulations Wendy! I will be emailing you to request your information. You have one week to claim your prize.

It's Turkey Time!

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's not too late to join the My Craft Spot Christmas and Winter Stamp Release Party Blog Hop! Click HERE to see my post. Leave a comment by tonight in order to be eligible to win a newly released 'Tis the Season stamp set from My Craft Spot. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Please click HERE to go to my Fantabulous Cricut post for today.

It's time to Gobble 'Til You Wobble at My Craft Spot, where this week's challenge is all about Thanksgiving décor. I decided to make these fun turkey place settings for my family. We've already celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada, but everybody is so delighted with my turkeys that we've been using them at the dinner table all week! I'll put them away soon, though, and save them until next year.

The fun little turkeys are from Create a Critter. I did lots of inking, adding some embossing with my Herringbone and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folders and did some doodling too. The eyes are from a Peachy Keen Critter stamp set. I even added a little baker's twine bowtie, using some wonderful vintage twine from My Craft Spot. The "Turkey Time" sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Happy Fall set, and I punched it out with a Stampin' Up window punch. (I've got to say that my youngest LOVES this stamp. He thinks it's so funny and calls out "Turkey Time!" whenever he sees the place settings!)

The bottoms of my place holders are bits of branches with part cut off in order to make a solid base. There is also a slit in the top in order for the turkeys to have a spot to sit. They do have legs tucked away! I used Cuttin' Up for the font for our names, and added some ink and doodling to those as well.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the Design Team has made to decorate for Thanksgiving! And don't forget to check out the fabulous new Winter and Christmas stamp sets while you're there!

Book Lover Book Bag

2011-11-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Click HERE to join the My Craft Spot blog hop. You have the rest of the day to enter. Winners will be announced tomorrow.

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is for all the book lovers out there! We are challenging you to create anything to do with a book. You can make a book, add an image of a book to your project, make a bookmark, etc. There are so many possibilities!

I decided to decorate a book bag for my sister. I purchased a plain burlap bag and then used Wall Decor and More for both the image and the font. ("Mes Livres" is French for "My Books".) I used a brown heat vinyl and then adhered it to the burlap bag with a hot iron.

My sister is a speech-language pathologist for the French-speaking school community in downtown Toronto. I thought this bag would be a fun way for her to carry around some of her materials. I added her initials to the back of the bag using Gypsy Font.

My project was fairly simple to put together but I think it's such a great way to make a personalized gift. I'm headed to Toronto next weekend and plan on purchasing more heat vinyl to make more of these bags for others!

Don't forget to head to Fantabulous Cricut to see what the rest of the Design Team has created!

My Craft Spot Christmas and Winter Stamp Release Party Blog Hop

2011-11-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the My Craft Spot Christmas and Winter Stamp Release Party Blog Hop!! I've had so much fun sharing my projects with you this week - and even more fun seeing the AMAZING creations of the rest of the design team. Today, we are finishing things off with a blog hop, showcasing more of the new My Craft Spot stamps (and ribbon and twine)! There will be prizes at EACH stop along the way, all very generously donated by Kimberly at My Craft Spot - so be sure to leave a comment at each of the My Craft Spot Design Team blogs to increase your chances of winning! How fun!

Also, the full stamp set reveal is ready for view and ALL five stamp sets are available for sale TODAY at My Craft Spot! Be sure to check things out and place your order! These stamps are so fun and there's such variety. Plus, they are made of high quality photo polymer.

For my project, I created a fun Santa card. As soon as I saw the Jingle All the Way stamp set, I knew exactly which cut I wanted to use... but didn't have the cartridge so ended up "needing" to order Jolly Holidays! Fortunately, I got it for a great price on eBay and it arrived in time for me to make my card. After cutting the Santa and sleigh from Jolly Holidays, I inked everything and embossed Santa's beard with the Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls folder. I added not one, not two, but THREE coats of Glossy Accents to the sleigh. I love the way it looks! I also added some larger glitter to Santa's cuff and the pompom at the end of his hat.

The patterned paper is from a Recollections Christmas stack and I scored at 1/4 inch on each side and then did a bit of doodling. I added some gorgeous Cranberry Crinkle Ribbon (from My Craft Spot) as well as two little bells that actually jingle!

I finished things off by stamping "Jingle All the Way", a stamp from the newly released Jingle All the Way stamp set from My Craft Spot. The little snowflakes are from the new White Christmas set and I added tiny little green gems to the middle of each.

And now for the fun news for all of you! One lucky person who leaves a comment here will win the new Jingle All the Way stamp set! To see what others have made with this new set, see HERE. All you need to do is leave a comment! So easy!

Now, please continue on your way, hopping to each of the My Craft Spot Design Team blogs. If you started at My Craft Spot, your next stop is a visit to Jayne of Jayne Designs.

Here is the blog hop order for your convenience:

Kimberly

Kate (*you are here!)

And back to My Craft Spot to order your new stamps!

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Day Five

2011-11-04T09:00:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the final day of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party sneak peeks!! We'll wrap things up tomorrow with a fun blog hop - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!! But for today, the projects created by the My Craft Spot Design Team are available for view at My Craft Spot - with additional details provided on each member's blog.

Today's stamp set release is called "Winter Wonderland". I made a quilted card using the "Frosty nights, quilted nights" sentiment.

My square card measures 5x5 and each little square inside is 1.5x1.5. The circles and squares were cut from George and Basic Shapes. The little scalloped squares for the sentiment were cut from Mini Monograms. I coloured each word individually in order to stamp the phrase separately to fit the squares. I also added some sweet little snowflake stamps, also from "Winter Wonderland" in the same squares. Today's stamp set contains three little snowflake stamps which are just perfect for creating backgrounds or adding additional detail to your projects!

Most of the images that I used for my card are from Christmas Cheer. However, the little snowman is actually a circle from George and Basic Shapes with a hat from Gypsy Wanderings. The snowman's face was stamped with a Peachy Keen stamp. I added a mat which I embossed with a Cuttlebug Oriental Weave folder and also did some faux stitching around the edges. I inked everything! I finished things off by adding some vintage brown Baker's Twine from My Craft Spot to the middle of each of the snowflakes.

Don't forget to head to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the Design Team inspiration - and to enter there for your chance to win today's prize: Vintage Christmas Crinkle Ribbon! And be sure to come back tomorrow for the blog hop. EACH design team member will have one of this week's NEW My Craft Spot stamp sets to win!!

If you are interested in purchasing the new "Winter Wonderland" stamp set, ALL FIVE sets will be available for purchase at My Craft Spot TOMORROW!

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Day Four

2011-11-03T09:00:00.007-04:00

Welcome to Day Four of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party!! I hope you've been enjoying the sneak peeks of the new stamp sets as much as I have enjoyed creating projects to share with you! Each day this week, EVERY design team member will be sharing a project made with one of Kimberly's five new stamp sets. My Craft Spot will also be showing photos of the projects and offering prizes just for commenting! And on Saturday, we have a fun blog hop planned - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!!

Today's stamp set release is called "Merry Christmas". I made an elegant card to reflect on the first Christmas.

This card is a bit larger than my usual - measuring 5x6.5. I cut the frames for my image and sentiment using Elegant Edges. The little baby Jesus and manger image is from Christmas Village. I embossed the background of the card using a Cuttlebug Oriental Weave folder. I also embossed the frame under the manger with a Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl folder. The photo corners were punched with an EK Success punch. I finished things off by adding some half pearls by the sentiment and some luxurious Wine Seam Binding from My Craft Spot.

Don't forget to head to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the Design Team inspiration - and to enter there for your chance to win today's prize: Mistletoe Seam Binding!

If you are interested in purchasing the new "Merry Christmas" stamp set, ALL FIVE sets will be available for purchase at My Craft Spot on Saturday.

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Day Three

2011-11-02T09:00:00.009-04:00

Welcome to Day Three of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party!! Each day this week, EVERY design team member will be sharing a project made with one of Kimberly's five new stamp sets. My Craft Spot will also be showing photos of the projects and offering prizes just for commenting! And on Saturday, we have a fun blog hop planned - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!!

Today's stamp set release is called "'Tis the Season". I made a little gift box filled with matching gift cards.

These cards are cut to measure 2.75x2.75 inches. I stamped each one using the "Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas" sentiment. I added some score lines and then embossed the top portion with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. The little scalloped circle was cut with Mini Monograms and I added a sweet little Christmas tree from the 'Tis the Season stamp set in the middle, colouring the stars with a yellow gel pen. I used PopDots to attach the scalloped circles to the cards. I punched a small hole in the top left corner of each card and attached some traditional cherry red baker's twine from My Craft Spot.

I created the box to coordinate with the little gift cards. The bottom was stamped with the same tree stamp used on the cards. For the top of the box, I made an extra "card front", but this time used a punch for the scalloped circle so that it would be slightly larger in order to create a more balance look. I used a Stampin' Up punch around the edges and I finished things off with some faux stitching with my white gel pen.

Don't forget to head to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the Design Team inspiration - and to enter there for your chance to win today's prize: Holiday Baker's Twine!

If you are interested in purchasing the new "'Tis the Season" stamp set, ALL FIVE sets will be available for purchase at My Craft Spot on Saturday.

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Day Two

2011-11-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Day Two of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party!! Each day this week, EVERY design team member will be sharing a project made with one of Kimberly's five new stamp sets. My Craft Spot will also be showing photos of the projects and offering prizes just for commenting! And on Saturday, we have a fun blog hop planned - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!!

Today's stamp set release is called "White Christmas". I made a card using the "Wanted: Magic hat!" stamp.

I used Doodlecharms for my snowman and Mini Monograms for the little frame in which he stands. I embossed the top layer of the frame with a Cuttlebug snowflake folder. The sign is from Walk in My Garden and it is embossed with Distressed Stripes. I also added a border using a Martha Stewart snowflake punch. Glossy Accents were added to the carrot nose and coal buttons, and I used gems for the eyes as well as part of a Peachy Keen stamp (which is actually a frown - but I turned it upside down!) for the mouth. To finish things off, I used some My Craft Spot Cranberry Crinkle Ribbon for the snowman's scarf.

Don't forget to head to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the Design Team inspiration - and to enter there for your chance to win today's prize: Christmas Eve Crinkle Ribbon (which contains some of the Cranberry ribbon that I used for my snowman's scarf - as well as Olive Green and Gingerbread Cookies ribbon). How fun!

If you are interested in purchasing the new "White Christmas" stamp set, ALL FIVE sets will be available for purchase at My Craft Spot on Saturday.

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Day One

2011-10-31T09:00:00.013-04:00

Welcome to Day One of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party!! Each day this week, EVERY design team member will be sharing a project made with one of Kimberly's five new stamp sets. My Craft Spot will also be showing photos of the projects and offering prizes just for commenting! And on Saturday, we have a fun blog hop planned - with prizes at EACH stop along the way!!

The first set of stamps is called "Jingle All the Way". Here is the card I made with one of the fun stamps on this set:

This card was made using the Christmas Solutions cartridge for all cuts. I welded two doors together (flipping one) to create a shaped card. I embossed the main image with my Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes folder and inked everything! I added some transparency for the window at the top of the door and embossed it with a snowflake folder for a frosted look. I also heat embossed the sentiment and added Glossy Accents to my little berries (which were made from a small paper punch). I finished everything off with some gorgeous Cranberry Crinkle Ribbon from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the projects made with the NEW "Jingle All the Way" stamp set. And don't forget to leave a comment at My Craft Spot to be eligible for today's prize of a Friends and Neighbors stamp set!

If you are interested in purchasing the new "Jingle All the Way" stamp set, ALL FIVE sets will be available for purchase at My Craft Spot on Saturday.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see my next My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party project!

Lunchbox Ghost Cards

2011-10-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

It's time to get spooky at Fantabulous Cricut! We are challenging you to create a project with a ghost on it. My ghosts look more cute than scary - but that's okay as they are to be tucked inside my favourite people's lunch boxes next Monday.

These cards were super quick and easy to put together. I cut the ghost twice from Paper Doll Dress Up - and made a bit of a shadow using my Gypsy. The ghost is popped - and I added some fun googly eyes. I stamped the sentiment and little star using stamps from My Craft Spot - and punched them out with Stampin' Up punches. The fun orange licorice baker's twine is also from My Craft Spot. The finished cards are 3x3 - perfect to tuck inside a lunch box.

If you haven't heard, you'll want to know that My Craft Spot is having a stamp release party next week!! There will be prizes each day (from Monday to Friday) at My Craft Spot and a blog hop on Saturday - with prizes at EACH stop along the way! The design team is hard at work creating some wonderful projects to share with you all. You won't want to miss the fun! And if you add the release party button to your blog, you will double your chances of winning a prize!

I'm sorry I'm behind in visiting your blogs! On Thursday, I had a 2-hour seminar to present... worth 50% of my final grade - so was busy preparing for that. I survived and feel pretty good about things. Then we spent the weekend at an Autism Family Respite Outdoor Centre as my son won a family spot at the camp. It was just the rest and relaxation we all needed - and heaps of fun too! I'm on reading break this week - and despite all the reading I have to do, I am hoping to get caught up on my blog visits.

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I am entering my lunchbox ghost cards at Little Scrap Pieces, where Karen is having a "Copy Cat" challenge giveaway. Hop on over to link up your own Halloween (or fall) project)!

Open If You Dare!

2011-10-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

It's time for some 3-D Halloween fun at My Craft Spot, where this week's challenge is to create a 3-dimensional project with a Halloween theme. I decided to make a "grown up" treat bag. Initially, I was thinking of making something fun for the kids but I received Flower Shoppe a few weeks ago and have been itching to play with it since. I decided to combine the My Craft Spot challenge with my insatiable urge, and this is what I came up with...

I used Tags, Bags, Boxes and More for the bag itself, and then cut a panel for the front from the same purple cardstock that I had used for the bag. Both were inked with black ink, and I also used my Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls folder to emboss the extra panel. I cut a web frame from black cardstock using Happy Hauntings and then created my flower by cutting different sizes of Ruffle4 and Sunflwr2 from Flower Shoppe. The majority of the cuts are black, with a few purple thrown in there too. I assembled the flower with an oversized black brad to hold each layer together. Once the panel, web and flower were on the bag, I spritzed it with some Stampin' Up Smooch Spritz. I cut a thin "Drippy Goo" border and covered it with Glossy Accents. This was attached to the top of the bag. I stamped a My Craft Spot sentiment (from the Happy Haunting set) on purple cardstock and heat embossed it, adding two little black brads to the tag.

I made my own grass to to in the bag (by running some paper through a crimper, cutting it into thin strips and then squishing it in my hands). To finish things off, I cut a small bat from Happy Hauntings, attached it to a bit of black wire which I had coiled, and added it to the bag.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the design team inspiration. We've got some new members on our team - and each one of them has incredible talent and creativity to share! Also, in two weeks' time, Kimberly will be releasing more stamp sets. I've had a sneak peek and LOVE each set. I know you will too!! She's also just released seam binding (her wonderful crinkle ribbon - only smooth!) so you will want to check that out as well. Head to My Craft Spot to be part of all the excitement!

Subway Art

2011-10-10T07:00:00.010-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

(In Canada, Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the second Monday of October.)

It's all about wall décor this week at Fantabulous Cricut. I've been wanting to try some subway art for some time now, so decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a go!

I first purchased a white canvas and painted it with a light brown acrylic paint. (It's got a lovely distressed look in person, but it doesn't show up in the photo.) I then used my Gypsy to design the art. To do this, I added a rectangle to my Gypsy design which was an inch smaller than my canvas. (My canvas is 12x16, so I created a rectangle to be 11x15.) Then I designed the phrases using a variety of fonts, extending each expression to 11 inches in order to have both sides justified. I cut the art from a piece of brown Cricut vinyl. I learned the hard way that one should never cut vinyl on a new mat. It was quite a pain to get the white backing off the mat once I'd removed the vinyl! I had to remind myself to give thanks in all things and to choose to be happy!!

(The "Choose to be happy" portion is a scaled down version of wall art in my office which I posted about HERE.)

There are some wonderful creations for view at Fantabulous Cricut. Head over to see what the rest of the design team has been working on - and to link up your own wall décor project.

Cartridges used:
Cuttin' Up
Jubilee
Gypsy Font
Nursery Rhymes
Kate's ABCs
Opposites Attract
Printing 101
Plantin SchoolBook

Too Cute to Spook!

2011-10-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's challenge time again at My Craft Spot, and this one is such a fun one: Too cute to spook! Last month, I found a great deal on "Happy Hauntings". I was so excited to see the adorable little mouse and decided that he would be perfect for the challenge! He's just SO cute!

I did make a few small changes to the image by making the mouse's arm a bit longer and by changing the face on the little pumpkin basket. (I did this with my Gypsy.) I used a bat/web frame from Happy Hauntings as well. The patterned papers are from K&Company's Spooktacular stack and the solid papers are from my stash. I used a metallic silver cardstock for the mouse. The sentiment and tiny little star stamps are from My Craft Spot's Candy Corn Kisses set, stamped on a banner from Happy Hauntings. I LOVE the tiny little star! It's so versatile and could easily be used as a snowflake or flower too. It worked perfectly to fill in the empty spaces on my banner. I also stamped the little star on each of the corners, punched with an EK Success corner punch. I finished things off with some brads and fun Orange Licorice Baker's Twine from My Craft Spot.

Head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the Design Team inspiration - and to link up your own "Too Cute to Spook" project! And don't forget that My Craft Spot is looking for FOUR new design team members. You can read all the details HERE!

Apple Addict

2011-10-02T16:12:00.001-04:00

To mark the beginning of Rosh Hashana, there's an "apple and honey" challenge going on at Cooking with Cricut. My youngest is the BIGGEST fan of apples that ever there was so I couldn't let this challenge pass me by. My son eats several apples a day (sometimes up to 6) and recently did an entire English assignment using only apples as his examples! It was quite creative!

My son helped me design the shirts on my Gypsy and took part in the production as well - although I did all the ironing. The first shirt uses the apple from Wrap It Up and the letters are from Mickey Font. The red and green vinyl are flocked and have a lovely texture to them.

The second shirt was created using a little character from Car Decals and the same apple, although my son said that the leaf should be off if the little character was eating it - so no leaf on the apple for this one!

I figured that "my honey" in his apple shirts suited the Cooking With Cricut challenge perfectly!! L'shanah tovah to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah!

World Card Making Day - and My Craft Spot Design Team Call!

2011-09-30T13:15:00.001-04:00

I read on the Cricut Blog that tomorrow (Saturday) is World Card Making Day. They are hosting a challenge to celebrate the occasion and I just had to participate!

My very talented blogging friend, Jayne, of Jayne Designs, recently created a fabulous candle birthday card using the Wrap It Up cartridge. You can see her original HERE. Norma at Pink Bling Crafter also liked the idea so much that she made a candle card, too. You can see Norma's card HERE. I was also completely smitten by the card and I decided to try my own take on the design as well.

I created the card by welding two images of candle shape from Wrap It Up on my Gypsy. (I flipped one of the images.) I then cut the image again from some patterned cardstock. I also cut the flame from coloured cardstock. The bottom layer of the frame was run through the Cuttlebug using my Textured Script folder. I welded a "1" charm from George and Basic Shapes to "today" letters from Tear Drop. I added some crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot, some gold fibre threads and made a little flower by layering some punched flowers from EK Success and adding a tiny bead and Glossy Accents to the middle. I learned this flower technique from Nadia at With Glittering Eyes. You can see her tutorial HERE.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I also have VERY exciting news for you! Kimberly at My Craft Spot is having a Design Team Call! There are four openings available! (Don't worry - I'm delighted to still be part of the team and will continue to showcase the fabulous products from My Craft Spot.) If you'd like to try out for the team, please link up your project by October 10. Here are the requirements:

Your project must be new for this design team call.
You can't be currently serving on a design team that sells products similar to those of My Craft Spot (stamp sets and crinkle ribbon).
You must have a blog that you update regularly.
No design team experience necessary! :)
You must be able to commit to a 6 month term.
With the project you are submitting, please post on your blog:

more pictures of your project

instructions telling how you made your project (recipe)

a link back to My Craft Spot to let everyone know you are trying out for this design team!

To try out for the My Craft Spot Design Team, link up your project HERE.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Watch for Falling Leaves!

2011-09-26T06:00:00.009-04:00

As I went to make my card for this week's Fantabulous Cricut "Leaves are Falling" challenge, I realized that I don't have any paper packs specific to fall. I've got a few loose bits of patterned paper but the pieces didn't really go well with each other. I decided that the dull tones in my DCWV Bella Cafe stack seemed to fit the job and used them. I'm glad I did! The little trim at the bottom is actually part of the paper and I think it looks like a leaf-covered road.

I cut the tree from Create a Critter. I hid the contours of all the little leaves and then cut them separately from a piece of coordinating paper. The foliage portion of the tree is popped and I also popped each of the little leaves. (I had to layer the tree a bit differently than it is "supposed" to be, in order to do the popping I wanted to do.) The mat and shadow are from George and Basic Shapes. The little squirrel is from Car Decals, cut once as a brown silhouette and then again with all but the outer contour hidden. I put the patterned image behind the silhouette. I finished things off with a wonderful sentiment from My Craft Spot's Happy Fall set.

I know that a lot of you have been busy making your own fall projects - so this is a perfect time to link up at FCCB. Be sure to check out the creations made by the rest of the design team, too! I'm always delighted to see the projects each week!

Fall Leaves

2011-09-19T07:00:00.003-04:00

It's time for another challenge at My Craft Spot! This week, the theme is "Fall Leaves". Here in central Ontario, the leaves are just starting to change colour - thanks to the cooler temperatures we have been having.

I created my little scene using Campin' Critters, adding some extra little leaves cut from Create a Critter. The card base was created by welding a frame from Elegant Edges (with thanks to my husband for hitting almost every Michaels in the Greater Toronto Area with me in order to find this cartridge!) and George and Basic Shapes. The banner is a parenthesis from Plantin' SchooolBook, with the ends cut with a punch from Creative Memories, and stamped with two stamps from My Craft Spot's Happy Fall set. I did some inking and some drawing and then finished everything off with some glorious My Craft Spot marmalade crinkle ribbon.

If you haven't checked them out already, please head to My Craft Spot to see the other "Fall Leaves" projects created by the rest of the design team. Then link your own project to be eligible for this week's prize!

(Also, just a heads-up that My Cut Search is celebrating their one-year blogiversary this week. Later this week, they will be offering special promo codes in their "News" section. My Cut Search is a great way to find specific Cricut cuts. Be sure to check it out!)

A Note of Appreciation

2011-09-12T06:00:00.003-04:00

It's time for another challenge at Fantabulous Cricut, and this week is all about making music! My middle guy has been taking piano and guitar lessons for a few years but has decided to give it a break as he transitions to high school. I made a card to go with the gift he gave his teacher to thank her for all she's done.

I used a Creative Memories corner rounder to punch the corners of my 5x5 square card as well as the corners of the mats. The mats are stamped with a little line/dotted stamp that I received with a bunch of goodies from Heather of Princess' Paper Projects. The guitar playing rabbit (who we think is singing some Aerosmith songs - my son's favourite!) is from Campin' Critters and the musical notes are from Stretch Your Imagination - all of which I inked. I also added a bit of doodling. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up and punched with a Stampin' Up window punch. I added a button, some twine and a few copper pearls to finish things off.

I can't imagine a life without music. If I'm not listening to tunes, I'm singing them unaccompanied! I'd love for you to head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the design team inspiration - and to enter your own creation. This week's prize is the NEW Candy Corn Kisses stamp set from My Craft Spot!

Adding a Counter to Number Your Blog Comments

2011-09-11T18:19:00.004-04:00

I've had a few people ask me how I've added numbers beside each of the comments left for me in Blogger. It's a simple process, which I've explained in this little video tutorial I put together:

Here is the code mentioned in the video. You can also get the code HERE.

<style type="text/css">
.commentNumber {

  padding: 5px;
  /*Modify the comment number's style here*/
}
</style>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function () {
  var commentList, commentHeader, numBox, i, j;
  commentList = document.getElementById("comments-block");

  if (commentList) {
    commentHeader = commentList.getElementsByTagName("dt");
    for (i = 0, j = commentHeader.length; i < j; i++) {
      numBox = document.createElement("span");
      numBox.className = "commentNumber";
      numBox.appendChild(document.createTextNode(i + 1));
      commentHeader[i].insertBefore(numBox, commentHeader[i].firstChild);
    }
  }//end if (commentList)
}());
</script>>

I'll have another Fantabulous Cricut project to show you tomorrow morning. See you then!

Thanks for Being My Friend

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

I am truly blessed to have wonderful friends in this life. I have friends that I can count on when times are tough and friends that I can laugh with until the tears are streaming down my face. I have friends whose faces I see frequently and I have friends through the blogging world that I could pass right by on the street, not recognizing them! Regardless of our connections, I am so thankful for all the friends that add to my life in so many ways. Thank YOU for being a friend!

The challenge this week at My Craft Spot is "Friends are the best". I made this card using one of the new stamps from the My Craft Spot Friends and Neighbors - Inside and Out set. (I rounded the stamp by positioning it that way on my stamping block.) I designed this card having been quite inspired by Tracey from Trace-Elementz. She has such an amazing style and always has such a delightful combination of doilies, buttons, flowers, lace, etc.!

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the fabulous creations by the rest of the design team and to enter your own "Friends are the best" project.

In addition, I'd like to let you know that Noor from Paperie Designs' Studio is having a fun giveaway to celebrate Eid. You can check things out HERE.

I've also just learned of a devastating fire which burned down the home of the children of one of our fellow bloggers. To see how you can help raise funds for this family, please go HERE.

Card recipe:
Recollections kraft cardstock
Creative Memories patterned paper
Wilton doily
EK Success punches (flowers and border)
Michaels punch - flower centers
Cricut Expression with Gypsy (George and Basic Shapes - card base, mats and sentiment tag; Wall Decor and More - butterfly)
My Craft Spot - sentiment and vanilla bean crinkle ribbon
Dollarama Crafts - brown pearl halves
Loony Lizard - button
Tim Holtz - Tea Dye Distress Ink

Quick Birthday Card and a Winner

2011-08-30T10:39:00.000-04:00

I needed a quick birthday card and used my new Celebrate with Flourish cartridge, which I received for free (500 points) from Cricut Rewards. I think this is perhaps one of the quickest cards I've ever made! Once the image was cut, I popped it on the card after first punching a border. I stamped a My Craft Spot sentiment on a bit of paper, added a brad and decided I was finished. It's very simple, but I like it!

Thanks to all who participated in the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party Blog Hop. I went to Random.org and the lucky number that came up was #5 - who is actually Kimberly from My Craft Spot!! I'm quite certain that Kimberly would want me to draw another name, which I did. This time, the lucky winner is #33 - Tambo (Tami) from Tambo's Creations. Congratulations Tami! Please email me your address (smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail.com) and I'll make arrangements for your new My Craft Spot Friends and Neighbors stamp set to be shipped to you!

A Splash of Colour

2011-08-29T06:00:00.004-04:00

It's time for another challenge at Fantabulous Cricut, and this week, we are challenging you to add a splash of the colour YELLOW to your projects! I made a fun birthday card and included a yellow shirt, yo-yo and sun. (The colour looks a bit orange in the photo, but it really is YELLOW!)

I used Car Decals for the little boy. I really LOVE this cartridge! I used George and Basic Shapes for the eyes (I don't care much for the mis-matched eye sizes that come with the cartridge) and for the black frame. The sun is an image from Create a Critter and the nine is from Mickey Font. The cute little boy and the number 9 are popped for a bit of dimension. I embossed the blue background with a Cuttlebug Spots and Dots folder and also created a border on the green grass with an EK Success border punch. I finished everything off with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments Set #1.

If you have not seen the new My Craft Spot Fall Stamp Release, you can check it out HERE. In fact, there is still time (but not much!) to join the Stamp Release Blog Hop, where you can WIN a new stamp set at each blog along the way! Winners will be announced tomorrow - so join the fun now!

Head on over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the design team projects - and then link up your own YELLOW creation!

I'm also entering this in the Cricut Circle's weekly challenge: ABC 1-2-3 (A pop of Bright Colour - yellow, one yo-yo, two eyes and three layers to the sun).

I've just discovered Paper Playtime - thanks to Janis - so will enter my card there as well. It's a fun site with lots of creativity. Check it out!

My Craft Spot Release Party Blog Hop

2011-08-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

Today is the day we reveal the NEW My Craft Spot stamps! Each day this week, My Craft Spot has been giving sneak peaks of the FOUR new stamp sets. I gave sneak peeks from two of those sets - on Tuesday and Thursday. Today, each design team member will share more projects made with the new stamp sets during this blog hop. And each of the blogs will be giving away one of these new stamp sets - so be sure to hop along, starting with Kimberly at My Craft Spot.

I made two very different projects to share. As many of you know, our house was flooded during a big storm earlier this month. I made a set of thank you cards to show our appreciation to all those who helped us out (and continue to help us out!). I used the new Friends and Neighbors - Inside and Out set for the sentiments. The ark image is from the Inspired Hearts cartridge - and was just perfect considering our circumstances! Paper is from My Mind's Eye and I added some Sky Blue crinkle ribbon (from My Craft Spot) for the water and to make a coordinating bow as well.

And here is the Friends and Neighbors - Inside and Out stamp set:

I used the new Happy Haunting stamp set for my second project - a fun Halloween gift bag!

I used Wrap It Up for the bag, image and tag. The other little sentiment tags were cut by hand. I added some smokey black and deep purple crinkle ribbon from the Hocus Pocus ribbon collection at My Craft Spot. I frayed the ribbon for a spookier look as well and ran the transparency used for the window through my Cuttlebug, using the Swiss Dots folder. I also added a purple button (from a set given to me by my sweet friend Carri from DoubleClick Connections) and a bit of green embroidery floss as well. Aren't the stamps so fun - and just perfect for Halloween crafting!

Do you see the fun MS Drippy Goo border? I used Glossy Accents on the handle and border to add a bit more detail.

Here is the new Happy Haunting stamp set:

There are also two more stamp sets being released at My Craft Spot today - Candy Corn Kisses:

And Happy Fall:

These new stamps sets are all available today at My Craft Spot! And don't forget that Kimberly offers free shipping to Canada and the US. While you are at My Craft Spot, be sure to check out the delightful assortment of crinkle ribbon and baker's twine too!

***BLOG HOP PRIZE***

Kimberly has very generously donated her new Friends and Neighbors - Inside and Out stamp set for me to give away. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post to be entered to win! So easy - and so fun! I will draw a winner at random on Tuesday.

Please check out the rest of the projects, starting with Kimberly at My Craft Spot. Be sure to leave comments along the way to have a chance at winning on each blog! Here's the list of My Craft Spot design team members to help you:

Kate (That's me!)

My Craft Spot Release - Another Sneak Peek

2011-08-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's time for another sneak peek of the new My Craft Spot stamp sets - all of which will be revealed tomorrow! Today, we are sharing projects created with the NEW Happy Haunting set.

As soon as I saw the set, the idea for this card popped into my head. The "You make me batty!" sentiment is so fun!!

To create my card, I used the bat from Hello Kitty Greetings and cut him from a metallic silver paper. I cut the card base with George and Basic Shapes (having designed it on my Gypsy with squares and circles). The full moon (circle!) is also from George and Basic Shapes. I added a border punched with an EK Success punch and everything else was hand cut. I used some Deep Purple Crinkle Ribbon from My Craft Spot as well. To make the bow, I first twisted the ribbon and then frayed cut the ends to create a more frayed look. I also cut the ends of the ribbon behind the sentiment. I added some doodling and gave my bat some gems for eyes and a nose to finish things off.

I can't wait to show you my projects tomorrow - and to have you join along in the My Craft Spot Release Blog Hop! Plus, ALL the new items will be revealed and ready to purchase. How fun!

Stamp Release Party Giveaways

Each day this week, Kimberly from My Craft Spot will have a fun prize for one lucky follower! Then, on Friday, each stop on the Hop will be giving away ONE of the NEW stamp sets! That's a total of 9 stamps sets to be given away!!

For the most chances to win awesome prizes this week:

1. Leave a comment on each Sneak Peek post on the My Craft Spot blog this week (Monday through Thursday).

2. Post the orange stamp party button (below) on your blog (or Facebook page) and leave Kimberly a comment to let her know that you've done this.

3. Join us for the Stamp Release Blog Hop on Friday! Each Design Team Blog on the Hop will be giving away ONE of the NEW stamp sets!!

Be sure to check back in tomorrow for the BIG Release Blog Hop! Now, head on over to My Craft Spot for more sneak peeks and your chance to win!

*********************************

HAPPY, HAPPY birthday to my daughter who is 17 years old today!!

(Yes, this makes the third birthday this month - and second this week! ALL my children were born in August - so lots of cake, fun, and celebrations! Each one is an incredible gift and such a blessing.)

My Craft Spot Release - Sneak Peek

2011-08-23T08:00:00.019-04:00

It's time for the My Craft Spot release party! In fact, it started yesterday with some of my incredibly talented design team sisters. Make sure you check things out if you haven't already!

For my project, I've used a stamp from the new "Friends and Neighbors - Inside and Out" set. I just love this set!! It has such a wonderful assortment of sentiments that are just perfect for adding to cards and projects of all sorts. My Craft Spot stamps are made from high quality photopolymer and are a treat to use.

Card Recipe:

Sentiment - My Craft Spot "Friends and Neighbors" - Inside and Out set (to be released Friday!)

Scallop rectangle and oval - Mini Monograms

Image - Kate's ABCs

Crinkle Ribbon - My Craft Spot

Tim Holtz and Stampin' Up inks, pearls, Stardust Gelly Roll pen

There's lots more fun to be had at My Craft Spot this week! Kimberly will be showcasing projects each day - and giving away prizes! I'll be back on Thursday with another sneak peak and the entire design team will be participating in a blog hop on Friday - the day of the big release!

Stamp Release Party Giveaways

For the most chances to win awesome prizes this week:

1. Leave a comment on each Sneak Peek post on the My Craft Spot blog this week (Monday through Thursday).

2. Post the orange stamp party button (below) on your blog (or Facebook page) and leave Kimberly a comment to let her know that you've done this.

3. Join us for the Stamp Release Blog Hop on Friday! Each Design Team Blog on the Hop will be giving away ONE of the NEW stamp sets!!

Be sure to check back in on Thursday, August 25th, when I will have another sneak peek for you before the BIG Release Blog Hop! Now, head on over to My Craft Spot for more sneak peeks and your chance to win!

*********************************

Thank you all for your comments regarding our flood and friend's son. James has made a full recovery. It truly is miraculous!!! Our house is still in a state of disarray, but things are coming along!

HAPPY, HAPPY birthday to my littlest guy who is 9 years old today!!

Cupcake Birthday Card

2011-08-15T06:00:00.003-04:00

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is a "Piece of Cake"! We are challenging you to create a project with a cupcake or other baked good on it. I decided to create an easel birthday card.

I used Gypsy Wanderings for the cupcake and frame. I embossed the top and bottom layers of the cupcake and also embossed the white frame. The little cupcakes at the bottom were punched with little punches from EK Success and the tops of each were also embossed. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot. (It's actually made to go on two lines but I stamped each word individually in order to have the sentiment on one line.) The sentiment was then punched with a Stampin' Up window punch and shadow punch. The inside was also punched with a Stampin' Up punch. I added a button and some lovely pink baker's twine from My Craft Spot.

Please head to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the yummy projects created by the design team - and then link up your own cupcake (or other baked good).

Well, I didn't end up going camping this past week. Unfortunately, we had a huge storm here last weekend and our house was flooded. Our entire lower level was destroyed and needs to be redone. Fortunately, we lost nothing of any sentimental value AND our insurance is covering the costs (or at least a good chunk of them). My husband did go camping with the boys but their trip ended up being cut short as well due to the young son of our good friends becoming very ill at the campsite. He ended up being airlifted to the children's hospital in Toronto from the small hospital to which the ambulance had originally taken him. It was a huge blessing that I was at home as I could be the contact person back here. I am beyond delighted to report that the little guy seems to be recovering now and a CT scan has shown that there is no brain damage that has resulted from his experience. We are all so incredibly thankful - and our tears of worry are now tears of joy. However, I am absolutely drained at this point!! I'm glad this is my holiday as I don't know what I would have done otherwise!! We do have another trip planned for this week and I plan to do nothing!!

Don't forget that next week is the Stamp Release Party Week for My Craft Spot. There will be prizes everyday and a blog hop on Friday - with prizes at each blog along the way! There are also extra chances for blog candy each day to lucky followers who have the button below posted on their blogs too!

Bright and Fun Birthday Cards

2011-08-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

Two in one! My Craft Spot and Fantabulous Cricut projects!

This week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "It's Hot Out There" - use hot, bright colours on your projects. It's also time to "Get Buggy" at Fantabulous Cricut. I decided to make some fun birthday cards which fit the criteria for both challenges! (It's not actually my design team week at Fantabulous Cricut but I decided to join in anyway!)

I used Paisley for the ladybird and bee and Mini Monograms for the scalloped square frames. I embossed the top layer of the frame with my Cuttlebug Seeing Spots folder. I added some pearls and gems to insects as well and then popped the insects on the mats. I used a My Craft Spot "Happy Birthday" stamp from Inside and Out Set #2. I finished things off with the some absolutely fabulous, bold crinkle ribbon, using Caribbean and Hot Pink. I LOVE the new colours!!

If you haven't checked things out recently, be sure to look over all the amazing crinkle ribbon at My Craft Spot. There is sure to be something to suit your style! And if you are ribbon challenged (like me!), you'll find crinkle ribbon so easy to work with and very forgiving.

I invite you all to check out the other design team crafts and then link up your own "It's Hot Out There" projects at My Craft Spot this week. Also, please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the design team creations and link up your buggy projects too!

PS Happy, happy birthday to my middle guy who is 14 today!! Also, we're leaving tomorrow for a camping holiday but I'll look forward to catching up with your blogs when I return.

******************

Coming soon! Get ready for lots of fun with My Craft Spot during the week of August 22. The design team is busy working away on creating some fabulous projects using new stamp sets! You'll get to see them all during the release week, with a new stamp set released each day (Monday to Thursday). Plus, to end all the fun, Kimberly has organized a blog hop for Friday and the the entire team is taking part - with My Craft Spot prizes to be given away on EACH of the design team blogs! You won't want to miss it!!

******************

Friendship Day Card

2011-08-01T06:00:00.006-04:00

*The United Nations has declared July 30 as International Friendship Day.

Happy Friendship Day! To celebrate this day, the Fantabulous Cricut design team has been busy making fun projects for friends.

I've seen a few window cards lately and decided to try one myself. I used Create a Critter for all the cuts. (It's unusual for me to use only one cartridge - but it worked out for this card!) The papers are from My Mind's Eye. I also added a punched border using a Martha Stewart lace border punch and some ribbon from My Craft Spot. It's actually crinkle ribbon, but I ironed it for a smoother look. I did lots of inking, added a gem on the bow and used a silver Gelly Roll pen on the butterfly. The "friends" stamp is one that I've had for quite some time but I'm not sure who the maker is.

Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut and see what the rest of the team has created. This also makes the perfect opportunity for you to create something for a special friend as well!

Good news! My summer courses are finished! I've already submitted my final assignment for one of the classes and hope to have the other one turned in within the next few days so I can enjoy a bit of free time. July was such an intense month and I do apologize for my lack of commenting on your blogs. I'm starting to work my way around though so should be dropping by to see you soon!

Snow Angel Card

2011-07-25T10:43:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Emboss It". I have a wonderful relationship with my Cuttlebug and LOVE to add embossing to my projects, so this was a fun one for me!

I created my card using Inspired Heart as a base. The snow angel girl is from Winter Frolic. I embossed the background mat of the card and also the girl's snow jacket. I punched a border using a Martha Stewart punch and then added the negative cuts around the card. (I punched some in white as well.) I stamped the face with a Peachy Keen stamp. I also used a My Craft Spot stamp (from Inside and Out #2) for the card. The outside reads: Each and every year you grow. I heat embossed this as well. Inside reads: You just become more fun to know!

I created this card for one of my best friends. We've known each other since our younger school days. Michelle LOVES snow. Her house is decorated with snow-related items - and whenever it does snow, she is outside building snowmen and making snow angels! She is one of the funniest people I know and I knew she'd get a kick out of this card, despite her birthday being in June!

When I lost my photos at the beginning of the month, the picture of this card was one of the few that I could not retrieve. (I had worked ahead on my design projects, knowing how intense this month would be with my courses.) I actually had to ask my friend for the card back to take another photo!!

Please head over to My Craft Spot and link your embossed project. I can't wait to see what you make!

You Knock My Socks Off

2011-07-24T13:35:00.000-04:00

Some of the Fantabulous Cricut Design Team members were sent the Quirky Quotes stamp set from Scrappy Moms Stamps. The set includes some really fun expressions. You can check out the Fantabulous Cricut Spotlight page HERE to see some of the other stamps in the set put to good use. As soon as I received my set, I looked at the stamps and knew exactly what I wanted to make first!!

I created this card using the Meow Lite cartridge. I also used Create a Critter for the cloud and a Stampin' Up border punch. I did lots of doodling and also popped the cat and socks for a bit of dimension.

Scrappy Moms Stamps are sponsoring the challenge at Fantabulous Cricut this week. Head on over and submit your project to win your own set of Quirky Quotes!

Birthday Banner for a 9 Year Old

2011-07-23T13:00:00.004-04:00

I am so excited to be a guest designer for My Sheri Crafts! This week's challenge is "Party Favours" - and it's actually a two week challenge which means that you have 14 days to get your submissions in. The theme is perfect for me as all my children have August birthdays - so our month will be filled with parties, cakes and lots and lots of fun!

I decided to make a banner for my youngest, who is turning 9 years old. I chose some bright, fun colours for the banner. The main scalloped squares were cut with Celebrations and the letters for "NINE" were cut with Mickey Font. I embossed the top layers of the letters with two different Cuttlebug folders. The party snakes are from Create a Critter. I assembled the banner with some ribbon and added some tulle to finish things off.

I actually took some time this week to make this banner and also created a card which I will post tomorrow. (My other projects for this month were all completed before my July class started. I have next to no free time - but it was such a delight to turn on my Cricut again and take a mental rest. I have just one week left of classes. I am enjoying them and learning so much but am certainly looking forward to a break too!

Please head over to My Sheri Crafts and link up your own "party favour" projects - and see the rest of the fabulous design team inspiration. Thank you, Sheri, for allowing me to guest design for you!

*I've also added this project at Decorate to Celebrate for their child's birthday challenge.

Sweet 17 Card

2011-07-18T06:00:00.002-04:00

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "I Scream for Ice Cream". My daughter is a HUGE fan of ice cream and I decided to take advantage of this week's theme to create a card for her birthday next month.

I used lots of Pop Dots on this card:

Recipe:
George and Basic Shapes - card base and little circle and shadow
Mini Monograms - scalloped circle mat and shadow
Indie Art - ice cream cone
Wall Decor and More - "sweet"
Kate's ABCs - 17
Cuttlebug - Happy birthday folder and 2x2 flower folder (on little circle)
Glossy Accents
Gems
PopDots

Sorry this is such a short and sweet post. I am drowning in assignments! However, I would like to give a huge thanks to Rhonda of Scrap Happens with Rhonda and Kristan of Baby Cakes for the wonderful awards they passed along my way. I certainly don't feel I deserve any awards with my lack of posting on blogs these days... I really do miss you all!

Elephant Crossing Guard

2011-07-11T07:00:00.012-04:00

It's time for another Monday challenge at My Craft Spot. For those of you who have been followers for awhile, you know that each summer and Christmas, I make a card for my youngest son's crossing guard and always include a stop sign. Lynn tells me that she keeps and displays them all! This is the card I made for this end-of-year celebration.

The challenge this week at My Craft Spot is "Ink it Up" - so I did lots of inking around the edges. Most of the card was made with scraps, with the exception of the kraft card base. I created the card by welding together two of the flower image from Plantin' SchoolBook using my Gypsy. (One was flipped.) The blue mat is part of the same image and I embossed it using the Polka Dots folder through my Cuttlebug. The elephant is from Paisley and the STOP sign is from Going Places. I welded a handle to the sign using George and Basic Shapes and added a gem for the flashing red light. I did some doodling and added Glossy Accents to the sunglasses. I also added a "Hip Hip Hooray" sentiment from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments #2. The sentiment is perfect for end of school (and start of summer holidays)! To finish things off, I added some sky blue crinkle ribbon and red baker's twine - both from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the design team inspiration - and to link up your own "Ink it Up" project!

(I'm still up to my eyeballs in readings, research, papers and presentations. This month will continue to be incredibly busy and I look forward to visiting your blogs as I am able.)

My Graduate - and Canada Day Blog Hop Winners

2011-07-06T20:20:00.000-04:00

My middle guy graduated from grade eight last week. I had downloaded all the photos from that special night to my computer and it crashed a few days later. (That makes the third time I've needed the hard drive replaced since I bought it new in the fall! Avoid Dell at all costs!!) Although I do back up important photos and documents, I had not yet backed up the photos and was absolutely devastated to think that I'd lost them. Fortunately, though, I was able to perform a photo recovery with my camera and retrieve the majority. Phew! Anyway here's a photo of my handsome man receiving his diploma.

Also, thanks so much to all who played along in the Canada Day Blog Hop. It was a delight to celebrate with you! I went to Random.org and the lucky winners are #6 - Shen of My Curious Crafts and #25 - Melissa of Created by Sunshine Honeybee. Congratulations!! You have each won a $15 gift certificate from My Craft Spot. Please send me an email with your full name and email address so I can get your gift certificates off to you! (You have one week to claim your prize.)

Pool Time!

2011-07-04T05:00:00.002-04:00

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is Pool Time: create a water-themed project. I knew right away that I wanted to use the sweet little "water dog" from Paper Pups for this one.

I cut the card base using Wrap It Up (welded with my Gypsy) and the blue mat from George and Basic Shapes. I embossed the mat with D'Vine Swirls too. I did a fair bit of inking and used a Peachy Keen stamp for the eyes. I added some doodling all over and Glossy Accents to the pup's nose and duck's beak. I also gave the duck some little black gem eyes. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiment Set #1 and cut out with a Stampin' Up punch. I also added a little bit of My Craft Spot baker's twine to the button by the sentiment and finished everything off with some wonderful crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.

If your weather is anything like ours, Pool Time is a perfect theme for this time of year! Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the wonderful projects created by the rest of the design team - and link up your own water-themed project!

If you have not yet entered my Canada Day Blog Hop giveaway, there is still time!

(Click HERE to go to the blog hop post.)

EVERYBODY is invited to participate. You have until Tuesday at midnight to submit your comment to be eligible to win one of two $15 gift certificates from My Craft Spot.

Finally, I am back to class today for full-time studies through the month of July. While I certainly hope to be able to make blog visits, my time will be especially limited this month and I might not be able to make my regular rounds. I'll be by whenever I can though! I love to see your creations!

Canada Day Blog Hop

2011-07-01T06:00:00.051-04:00

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Welcome to the CANADA DAY BLOG HOP hosted by Tara & Jacqueline! If you have arrived here from Tara's blog, Homemade Happiness, then you are in the right spot. If you just happened upon my blog and would like to start at the beginning of the hop, please click HERE. In honour of Canada Day, we are all making projects with a Canadian theme to celebrate our nation's birthday!

I chose to make two types of treat bags and a set of little cards.

The wind was perfect for this shot!!

I found some red and white jelly beans at our local bulk food store and made little bags for them using Wrap It Up. I hid the contours of the tie (which was originally on the bag) and replaced it with a leaf from Create a Critter. I then added some transparency behind each leaf shape in order to keep the jelly beans inside. I also added some extra score lines at the top of each side in order to have the bag close at the top. I tied and curled some ribbon to each bag to finish things off.

I also found some chocolate covered jujubes at the bulk food store and put them inside small, clear baggies. I cut bag toppers, rounded the corners, punched bottom borders and ran the toppers through my crimper. I then computer generated small tags with a patriotic, flag waving beaver and the words "Fresh Canadian Beaver Droppings". To finish off the toppers, I attached Create a Critter leaves which I had embossed with my Cuttlebug. Oddly enough, despite the caption on the bags, my children and nieces are quite excited to get their baggies!

The leaves are stamped with "Love you!" - a My Craft Spot stamp

I also made these cute little cards for my husband and children. I used George and Basic Shapes to cut the red rectangles for either side of the flag and the little leaves were cut with Create a Critter. I then used a "Love you!" stamp from My Craft Spot's Inside and Out Set #2 to stamp the flags with VersaMark. I added some My Craft Spot baker's twine and had a quick set of cards already to go!

MY PRIZES

Here on my blog, I am giving away a $15.00 gift certificate to My Craft Spot. In addition, Kimberly from My Craft Spot is donating a $15.00 gift certificate to her shop. That means there will be TWO lucky winners here just at Small Bits of Paper!! You can see Kimberly's fabulous stamp sets HERE. While you are there, check out her great selection of hand-dyed crinkle ribbon and baker's twine as well. Kimberly offers FREE SHIPPING to Canada (and the US), and as all Canadians know, this is a big deal!! For your chance to win one of these two gift certificates, simply leave a comment on this post. You do not need to be a follower to win. However, if you are a follower of my blog, you are welcome to leave a second comment indicating as such for an extra entry into the random draw. You have until midnight on Tuesday, July 5 to enter and I will announce the winners on Wednesday, July 6.

BLOG HOP PRIZES

The following are the prizes being offered by the sponsors of the blog hop. In order to win one of these prizes, please comment on the Canada Day Blog Hop stops and then link your project at Homemade Happiness.

The Scrapbooking Cafe - 3 X $10.00 GC

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Bugaboo Digital Stamps --- 7 Digital Stamps

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Pink By Design --- Canadian Stamp Set

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My Stamping Studio - Lime Twist Products pack from My Mind's Eye

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Digis With Attitude! --- $10.00 gift card

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Graphic Cat Creations --- Freebie + $15.00 gift card

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One Crazy Stamper --- $25.00 gift card

Please be sure to drop by our sponsors to show some appreciation for their support.

Your next stop is a visit with Heather at Princess Paper Projects.

I hope you enjoy our Canada Day Blog Hop.
Thanks for joining us and hopping along!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Here is the hop list in case you get lost:
Tara - http://creativeprincess-homemadehappiness.blogspot.com/

Kate - http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/

Heather - http://princesspaperprojects.blogspot.com/

Kimberly - http://www.justwordz.ca/

Michelle - http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/

Tracy - http://thecroppingcanuck.blogspot.com/

Kerry - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/

Avril - http://totallyscrapaddicted.blogspot.com/

Nicole - http://canadiannickelscrapn.blogspot.com/
Cheri - http://graphicatdesigns.blogspot.com/

Courtney - http://craftingwithcourtney.blogspot.com/

Jacqueline - http://madebyjacqueline.blogspot.com/

*My wonderful friend, Angi, from Angi & Cokie Designs, is hosting a gift bag challenge at Do More With Less. I will enter my treat bags there!

Car Decal

2011-06-28T23:36:00.000-04:00

The challenge this week at Decorate to Celebrate is 4th of July but we have been invited to add our decorations for any celebration. I created a car decal to decorate our vehicles for Canada Day (July 1). I created this decal with my Gypsy using Car Decals (for the "Proud to be"), Pooh Font Set (for "Canadian") and Create a Critter (for the leaves). I also added little leaves in the middle of the As. Once I created the cut file, this was easy to cut out multiple times for the vehicles.

And here's a close up. (The second, darker image is actually a shadow.) I cut the decal with Cricut vinyl.

Don't forget about the Canada Day Blog Hop this Friday! Everybody is invited - Canadians and friends of Canadians! Tara and Jacqueline have found a number of sponsors and there are lots of great prizes up for grabs!

Seeing Stars Birthday Card

2011-06-27T09:00:00.026-04:00

If you are looking for my Canada Day card, created for this week's Fantabulous Cricut challenge, please click HERE.

The challenge this week at My Craft Spot is "Seeing Stars" - use stars on your project. I decided to make a card for one of my own stars - my middle guy who will be turning 14 (yikes!) in August.

I fell in love with the design of a card made with Birthday Bash - but I don't have that cartridge. However, with the help of my Gypsy, I was able to create something fairly close. I used a cup from Locker Talk (received from my wonderful friends at Serenity Scrappers) and turned it sideways. I then welded a star from George and Basic Shapes to the cup. Next, I copied the image, flipped it and welded the two together to create a card. I used the same cartridges to cut the patterned papers that I used as well. The 14 and shadow were cut with Kate's ABCs and run through the Cuttlebug using a star embossing folder. The star and 14 are popped. The little tag was hand-cut and stamped with a birthday sentiment from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments Set #1. I did lots of faux stitching and finished things off with a star brad and some Chocolate Baker's Twine from My Craft Spot.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the amazing projects created by the rest of the design team - and then create your own "Seeing Stars" project! I'd love to see what you make!

*Don't forget about the Canada Day Blog Hop this Friday! Everybody is invited to join the fun!

**My card also meets the criteria for the Stars and Stripes birthday card challenge at Birthday Sundaes - so I will enter it there as well!

Canada Day Card

2011-06-27T06:04:00.004-04:00

This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "July 4th" - use red, white, and blue on your project. As Canada Day is on July 1st - and because I am a proud Canadian - I made a fun card to celebrate our nation's birthday.

I was so excited to use my new Campin' Critters cartridge on this card! (My husband bought it for me. How I love that man!) Campin' Critters was used to cut the beaver and tree. I wasn't keen on the teeth so I cut the piece in two. I'm also really not keen on the mismatched eyes, so I punched a set myself. I manipulated a Plantin SchoolBook number sign for the tail and also added a maple leaf from Create a Critter on the cap. The little tuft of grass is also from Create a Critter. The dirt path is actually the sweet pea from New Arrival! The red sign is cut from George and Basic Shapes, as is the heart, and the letters are from Pooh Font Set. I added some doodling, lots of ink and also some Glossy Accents to the nose and eyes. The log was run through the Cuttlebug using Distressed Stripes. (The beaver and maple leaf are national symbols of Canada.)

Now it's your turn! Head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the rest of the design team inspiration. There are wonderful creations full of national pride! Then link up your own red, white and blue project - and feel free to celebrate your country, wherever you are!

*I am linking this card at Sentimental Sundays where this week's challenge is to be patriotic and use the colours of your nation's flag and at My Sheri Cards for the Canada Day/Independence Day challenge. I am also going to enter this in the Cricut Circle's Patriotic Pride challenge.

Also, EVERYBODY is invited to celebrate Canada Day with me this Friday. I've been asked to join a very talented group of Canadian bloggers and we've got an amazing Canada Day blog hop lined up, starting bright and early on the east coast. There is a fantastic list of prizes being offered too - just for joining the fun! I'll be offering my own prize here at Small Bits of Paper as well!

Father's Day Gift Bag

2011-06-13T08:00:00.023-04:00

If you are looking for my Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #64 post, please click HERE.

The unthinkable occurred last weekend. I was trying to get some crafting done but neither my Gypsy nor my Design Studio would recognize my Cricut! I spent far too long trying to get things to work, with no success. First thing Monday morning, I called ProvoCraft and am so impressed with the service I received. By Friday, I had a new-to-me (refurbished) Cricut at my door. It's not as pretty as my Pink Journey Cricut but it is on speaking terms with my Gypsy and Design Studio so I am happy once more!

This week at My Craft Spot, the challenge is "We Love You, Dad". I don't have a father so I created something for my husband. Even though it's fairly simple, it was a challenge for me as I've never created a project without my Gypsy or Design Studio. (I made this earlier in the week, prior to the arrival of a fully functional Cricut.) Once I figured out how to set the paper sizes, it was a piece of cake!

I used Car Decals for the image. (I hand punched the eyes. Although I love the adorable images on Car Decals, I'm not overly fond of the mismatched eyes.) My husband is quite an athlete and participates in triathlons, plays on a soccer team and basketball team, and plays weekly games of squash. I purchased him an odometer for his biking and running so wanted a bag to match the gift - and him! I created a border with an EK Success punch to go behind the image. I used Makin' the Grade for the font. Makin' the Grade was one of the first handful of cartridges I owned when I had my first little Cricut and I used it ALL the time. I really do like the font. Plus, I thought it was such a good match with the My Craft Spot (Sweet Sentiments Set #2) "To" and "From" stamps I used for the tag. I created the tag with a Creative Memories circle cutting system. I finished things off with some tulle and ribbon.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to join this week's challenge! There is a fabulous giveaway and some wonderful inspiration by the rest of the design team too!

*I am also going to enter this in the first challenge at Decorate to Celebrate. It's a Father's Day theme, so my bag fits the bill. My wonderful blogging friends, Rhonda and Amy, have started the new challenge blog, Decorate to Celebrate. I encourage you to check it out if you haven't done so already!

Wedding Wishes Card

2011-06-13T07:00:00.006-04:00

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the theme is Wedding Wishes and we are challenging you to create a wedding-related project which includes the colour white AND a bell. I found this week's theme to be quite a challenge as my mind was just blank on what to do - but I then found some tiny bell earrings and decided that they would make a lovely charm for wedding project.

I created the card with Inspired Heart for the window mats and "love" sentiment and Joys of the Season for the doves and cage. The papers are actually white and grey but the grey has a bit of a lilac look in the photo. I embossed the window mat as well as the doves. For the background paper, I simply scored every 1/4 inch. I attached the bell and wondered why I had found this to be such a difficult challenge as it all came together quite easily - once I knew what to do!

Now it's your turn! Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the amazing inspiration created by the rest of the design team. And, while you are there, link up your own Wedding Wishes project. Just remember to use white and a bell on your project!

Also, I'd like to give a quick shout out to Jenae, my wonderful and talented design team sister at Fantabulous Cricut. She passed along a Versatile Blogger Award my way. Thanks Jenae! Please check out her fantastic blog - Just Jenae!

*Cricut Cardz Challenge is also having a wedding project challenge this week so I will link my card there as well.

PS I'm so sorry that I've not been leaving many comments lately. I've been working overtime as I had a rush on a review for work. I also have a fair bit of homework as my course wraps up on Thursday. And to top things off, I had a stomach bug last week that left me not wanting to do much of anything!

Hugs Card

2011-05-30T08:00:00.010-04:00

If you are looking for this week's Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday post, please go HERE.

It's all about cute critters at My Craft Spot this week. As felines are my favourite critters, I decided to create a card with a cat. Last week, I saw the Cricut Lite Meow cartridge on sale at our local Walmart and figured that this challenge was a great excuse to pick it up! As I tend to purchase my cartridges online (they are SO much less expensive this way, often a quarter of the price), it was quite a treat to pick one up and come right home to use it after purchase!

The main image on this card is from the Cricut Lite Meow cartridge and the fence and hill are from Wrap It Up. The fence was embossed using the Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes folder. I used a floral stamp (manufacturer unknown) to create a pattern on the little girl's dress and her face was stamped with a Peachy Keen stamp. The little girl and her cute critter were popped. The scalloped mat is from Kate's ABCs. I embossed the kraft mat with an Indentz folder and used a Creative Memories corner rounder punch on the mat and card base as well. I inked everything and did some doodling too. To create my sentiment, I used a stamp from My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments Set #1. I also used some fabulous Raspberry Truffle crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot, some embroidery floss and a button to complete the look of the card. When I showed the card to my youngest, he exclaimed, "That looks just like Electra!" (our cat) which made me smile.

There are some other wonderful projects on display at My Craft Spot to provide inspiration for this week's challenge. Please go and check them out! Then create your own cute critter project to link up in order to be eligible for this week's wonderful giveaway. Also, Kimberly announced last week that My Craft Spot is now selling baker's twine from The Twinery too. The colours are so bright and fun!

Discover Layout

2011-05-30T05:00:00.016-04:00

This week, the challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "Remember This". We are challenging you to make something to remember a special person, time or anniversary.

I decided to make a layout to remember my youngest during a family holiday to England when he was two years old. In the photo, he's on a play structure at a park, having climbed to the top to get a new perspective on things!

Recipe:

My Mind's Eye - papers

New Arrival - giraffe

Hello Kitty Greetings and Love Language Tiny Hearts Cuttlebug folder - cloud (used as sand puddle)

Gypsy Wanderings - Discover

George and Basic Shapes - flag

My Craft Spot (Sweet Sentiments #2) - Treasure sentiment

EK Success, Stampin' Up, Martha Stewart, Michaels - various punches

Stampin' Up inks and white Gelly Roll pen

Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the great creations by the design team - and to enter this week's "Remember this" challenge!

Stampin' Up Card

2011-05-27T07:51:00.000-04:00

I recently attended a Stampin' Up card class where I learned some new techniques and made a few cards! This one is my favourite. I can't really take credit as I had a sample and all the tools and supplies on the table. I just had to ink, punch, and stick! It was so much fun to get together with other crafters and create!

I am also delighted to be spotlighted today for the Fascinating Fridays feature on Paperie Designs' Studio. Noor Nahdi is from Dubai and has such an incredible talent for paper crafting. Please go and check out her amazing creations. I'm sure you will be inspired! (And a huge thank you to Tammy of Creating Somewhere Under the Sun for recommending me for this feature.)

Finally, my blogging friends Rhonda of Scrap Happens with Rhonda and Amy of Love to Scrap have teamed up to start a new challenge blog... Decorate to Celebrate. The blog officially starts next week - but things are already underway with projects to share and a link-up party. You can check it out HERE.

You Make Life Sweet

2011-05-21T10:48:00.000-04:00

My FCCB design team sister, Sandee (from Inspired to Create), has recently introduced me to PageMaps. Sandee requested that the design team choose a sketch and create a project... so I did!

I pretty much followed the sketch as it is - including the apple! It's just that I saw the sketch and figured it would work wonderfully for a teacher appreciation card.

Sandee has a post at FCCB today, showcasing a variety of projects created by some members of the FCCB design team using PageMaps sketches. You can see the post HERE.

Recipe:

Holiday Cakes - top scalloped border

George and Basic Shapes - circle frame and shadow

Doodlecharms - apple

My Craft Spot - sentiment (Sweet Sentiments, Set #2)

Fiskars - bottom border

EK Success - corner punch

Michaels mini punch - little apples

Cuttlebug - Typeset embossing folder

Inks and white Gelly Roll pen

Doodlecharms Bus

2011-05-16T22:00:00.002-04:00

I spent a long day reading yesterday. I'm loving my course this semester (Social and Cultural Context of Education) and am fascinated by not only my required readings, but the blog responses written by my classmates which provide an amazing opportunity to expand my view of this world. However, at the end of the day, my brain was drained so I managed to fit in a bit of crafting between homework with the children, supper, playtime and reading with my youngest.

I made this card for my middle guy's bus driver. School isn't finished until the end of June so I'm happy to be ahead of the game! Jenny, from Jenny's Scrapbooking Haven, let me know about the favourite cartridge challenge at Bug Juiced by Debbie. As my favourite cartridge is Doodlecharms (I just LOVE the sweet little images for all seasons and occasions), I was pleased to discover that my card also meets the criteria for Emma's challenge at My Creative Time, where we are to use Doodlecharms and also something with the colour blue. And it's "Transportation Week" at My Sheri Crafts, so I'll add my link there as well. Riley and Company has a school theme - so I hope the school bus counts!

The card was fairly simple to put together. As it is for a man, I didn't want to add too many embellishments. The bus and little faces on my card are from Doodlecharms. I manipulated the faces to make them a bit more round and then stamped them with Peachy Keen stamps. The cap and hair were cut using Everyday Paper Dolls and I had to manipulate those a bit to fit the Doodlecharms faces. I cut some extra tires in black and embossed them with my Cuttlebug and also added little brad hubcaps. Last week, I saw a card created by Jamie from Cute Cards and Crafts by Jamie who stamped a sentiment across her Doodlecharms bus and I decided to do the same. I used an EK Success punch for the corners and did a bit of faux stitching. I also used my Stardust Gelly Roll pen over the sentiment, on the eyelashes and on the photo corners. I finished things off with some baker's twine and a button.

Fantabulous Cricut - Try This Angle

2011-05-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

(If you are looking for this week's My Craft Spot Monday Challenge post, please click HERE.)

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, we are challenging you to "Try this angle"! Use a rectangle and a triangle in your project - and be sure to have at least one Cricut cut as well.

I decided to make a thank you card. The main image is from Car Decals and I used Design Studio to hide contours on various layers to create the dog in his house. I used Distressed Stripes to the house as well. The dog's face was stamped with a Peachy Keen stamp. The sentiment was cut with the second layer of Cuttin' Up on real size. I embossed the brown mat with Seeing Spots and also used a Recollections border punch on the bottom. (I FINALLY went back to Michaels after having given it up for lent. The punch was on clearance. Woo hoo!) I used a Fiskars corner punch to create all the triangles. I did lots of inking and a bit of doodling, added some Glossy Accents to the nose, and finished things off with some twine and button from my stash.

Now it's your turn! Head on over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the projects created by the rest of the design team and then "try this angle" yourself!

Graduation Card - My Craft Spot

2011-05-16T03:00:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited to show you my first project as a design team member for My Craft Spot! This week's Monday Challenge is Congratulations.

At the end of June, my middle guy will be graduating from grade 8. In Canada, this is quite a big deal as it means he has finished elementary school and will move on to secondary (high) school next year. I made this card to give him so he knows how very proud we are of him.

This card is 8.5 x 4. Here's a close up to see the embossing a bit better:

Recipe:

Cuttlebug "Congratulations" folder - large white mat

George and Basic Shapes - mini mats and shadows

Cuttlebug "Seeing Spots" folder - mini white mats

Mickey Font - "YOU DID IT!!"

Locker Talk - graduation cap

Hello Kitty Greetings - diploma

Fiskars - border punch

My Craft Spot - baker's twine for sale here

Button and PopDots (under each of the little mats)

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the wonderful design team inspiration - and to link your own Congratulations project!

Bee Happy - My Craft Spot Design Team!

2011-05-06T19:41:00.000-04:00

I am delighted to announce that I am the newest member of the design team at My Craft Spot! My Craft Spot sells gorgeous crinkle ribbon, baker's twine and acrylic stamp sets - plus has a blog full of inspirational projects and weekly challenges. I'm thrilled and honoured that Kimberly has asked me to join her team and look forward to sharing My Craft Spot projects with you.

Card recipe (I made a set of six!):

Wrap It Up - card base

George and Basic Shapes - round mats (embossed with Cuttlebug), label

Create a Critter - bee and tre

Stampin' Up - sentiment

My Craft Spot - bakers' twine

Gelly Roll pens (white and Star Dust), chalk

Daffodil Card for Mother's Day

2011-05-02T05:00:00.003-04:00

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the challenge is "Flower Shower": Create a project using at least three flowers. I decided to create a Mother's Day card for my mum, which I will also link up at Cooking With Cricut (spring flowers), My Craft Spot (We love you Mum!), Whimsical Wednesday (spring has sprung) and My Sheri Crafts. I played around with attaching a tag or sentiment to the front of the card but finally decided to stamp the inside with a simple "Happy Mother's Day".

When I was first putting this card together, I didn't like the dark blue showing through each of the scalloped portions so I ended up punching circles using a Stampin' Up Itty Bitty punch using the scraps from the patterned paper. I then attached each little circle behind the openings and am much happier now!

My favourite flower is the daffodil, and I know my mum loves them too. The daffodils have finally bloomed in our gardens and it seems that spring is finally here! On Sunday, I know I will be spoiled by my husband and children, beginning with the traditional breakfast in bed. Later, we will celebrate Mother's Day at my mum's house with my mum, my oldest sister and her family and my oldest brother and his daughter, as well as my husband and children. The men always order Swiss Chalet so the women get to rest and enjoy the day! I'm looking forward to it!

Recipe:

George and Basic Shapes: card base, inner circles, yellow "tablecloth"

Easter 2010: scalloped circle

Kate's ABCs: pitcher (embossed with Cuttlebug border folder from "With love" set)

Walk in my Garden: daffodils

Baker's twine, white Gelly Roll pen, PopDots, various inks from Stampin' Up

Sentiment (inside): Happy Mother's Day from My Creative Time's "Mom, You Rock"

Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to check out the wonderful design team projects - and to link up your "Flower Shower" project!

Baby Card - Guest Designer for Getting Cricky

2011-04-30T12:29:00.000-04:00

I am so delighted and excited to be this week's guest designer at Getting Cricky. I only discovered Kristal a few weeks ago and have been loving her posts! She's so inspirational and seems to always write just the words I need to read/hear. I love the analogies that she makes between her projects and real life. It's a joy and a privilege to be designing for her blog for the Simply Sunday Challenge.

I've just received Kate's ABCs - which I've wanted for its name more than anything!! The cartridge is not available here in Canada so I've been keeping my eye out for it on eBay but wasn't able to find it for a price I was willing to pay. However, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that my Easter Bag was spotlighted in the April 19 edition of the Cricut Chirp. With that came a credit at Cricut which I used to purchase Kate's ABCs. It arrived this week already!!

The theme for Getting Cricky's Simply Sunday Challenge is "Sew Fabulous" - which can be interpreted any way you like (thread, faux stitching, stamps, fabric, etc.!) to create anything you like! I decided to pull out the sewing machine and added some stitches to my card. I used George and Basic Shapes for the card and pink mat. The top mat was actually created with a tag from Winter Frolic, turned 90 degrees with the contour of the hole hidden. The little bunny scene (with dragonfly) was cut with Kate's ABCs. I actually cut another set of images and inked them but really didn't like the look at all so cut again and drew around everything with a Stardust Gel pen. I also added some dots (with the same pen) all around the pink mat and coloured in the dragonfly's body with it too. I added some pink pearls and a bit of ribbon to the outside of the card and stamped the inside to finish things off. I like card this so much better than the inked version!

Please head over to Getting Cricky to check out the "Sew Fabulous" Simply Sunday Challenge for this week - and to be inspired and motivated by Kristal!

I will also enter this card at My Craft Spot - where this week we've been challenged to create a project to welcome a precious baby into our world. And speaking of My Craft Spot, I did not hear from one of the winners of the "It's a Basket Case Blog Hop" so returned to Random.org to find a new winner. This time, Amy from Love to Crop is the lucky winner. I laughed when I matched up the number to the name - as I recently won a jelly bean counting competition at Amy's blog!! Amy, head over to My Craft Spot to pick out your choice of Crinkle ribbon or baker's twine, to a maximum value of $9.99. Please send me your information and choice within the next week so I can place the order for you. Congratulations!

Mother's Day Bag

2011-04-25T06:00:00.093-04:00

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend! We have today off as well and are loving the long weekend! It seems that the crafting world is quickly switching gears to Mother's Day and "Mom's the Word" at Fantabulous Cricut!

I've seen a few people creating with the bag from Life's a Party and love the look of it. Unfortunately, I don't have that cartridge - but I do have a Gypsy and Design Studio so I got to work creating the bag myself, using George and Basic Shapes. The flap on my bag is a bit more narrow than the one of Life's a Party, but otherwise I managed to reproduce it quite well.

I created the medallion with Home Decor, and ran the white center through my Cuttlebug. The little tulip is from Create a Critter and I glittered the bloom. I used Pooh Font for "Mum". I also faux stitched all around the front of the bag. To finish things off, I added an eyelet and ribbon.

I will also enter this bag at Creative Cutter Room (where the theme is a Mother's Day gift with pink, ribbon, faux stitching and two different flowers) and at My Sheri Crafts, where we have been challenged to create a 3-D gift item.

Now it's your turn! Head over to Fantabulous Cricut and link up your Mother's Day project. Just make sure it contains a Cricut cut as well as Mum, Mom, Mother, etc.