Crossing Guard Gingerbread and a Winner

I made this card for my youngest son's crossing guard.  I always make her a card with a STOP sign (like the one she holds as we cross the road).  The gingerbread man and house are from Stretch Your Imagination.  I used Going Places for the STOP sign, welding a rectangle from George and Basic Shapes on the shadow to make a hand-held sign. I ran the top mat through my Cuttlebug using a snowflake folder (which certainly has been getting a lot of use these days!).  I added some pen dots, glitter, some snowflakes (cut with a Martha Stewart border punch), a gem and a ribbon.  I finished things off with some EK Success photo corners.

This week's challenge at Bitten By the Bug 2 is to use a gingerbread man.  What perfect timing for me with this card! 

I would like to extend a huge welcome to all my new followers!  Last week's Fantabulous Cricut "Deck the Halls" Crawl was so much fun and I enjoyed reading all your comments.  Thanks so much!  The winner of my blog prize is #37 - Scrappin' Diva Angie.  Congratulations Angie!  Please send me your mailing address (smallbitsofpaper at hotmail dot com).  You have two weeks to claim your prize.

20

Joy to the World Card

Click HERE if you are looking for the Fantabulous Cricut "Deck the Halls" Crawl post.

I decided to give myself the day off and spent a large portion of the day crafting.  I had heard of a few challenges and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. 

Angi, from Cokie Pop Paper Boutique, is a member of the Papercraft Star Design Team and created a beautiful card using the photo below as inspiration.  (See Angi's card HERE.) I am always so impressed with the way Angi reuses items on her craft projects and decided to do the same myself.  (The gold foil I used is actually from a gift bag.)  As soon as I saw the photo, I was immediately taken by the window and knew that I had to have a window like that on my card as well.   I also followed the same colour scheme.

I designed the window using George and Basic Shapes and Destinations.  I cut the window three times.  I hand cut a piece of transparency to size and ran it through my Cuttlebug using a snowflake folder.  I had never embossed transparency before, but was thrilled with the result.  The transparency is between the bottom two layers of the window.  I also hand cut a piece of white and green patterned paper to go behind the window (although it looks just white in the photo).  The window is popped from the shadow.  Here is a photo taken to show you the patterned paper as best I could:

I then cut a piece of darker patterned paper as a shadow for the window.  I just used George and Basic Shapes to design the shadow.  The card mat was hand cut from green cardstock and run through my Cuttlebug using the same snowflake folder that I had used for the transparency.  I computer generated the sentiment and matted it with the darker patterned paper and some gold foil paper with snowflake patterns (originally a gift bag).

The challenge at Bitten by the Bug 2 this week is to use the wreath from Joys of the Season.  I cut the wreath two times and ran the top layer through my Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots.  I also cut some extra leaves using the layer feature and ran those through my Cuttlebug using a small butterfly folder (but simply put the leaves in the centre for small dots to be embossed).  I inked all portions of the wreath and assembled it by staggering the layers.  Earlier, I had made a number of tags (using Very Merry Tags) and kept the red tag holes to be used for berries.  I also added Glossy Accents to the berries.  The wreath is popped and I used a piece of the gold foil to make it look like it is hanging from the window frame. I finished things off with some red pearls on the tag and window base.

Voting has begun at Papercraft Star.  You can vote for my card HERE until Monday night.

My card is #13.  Thanks so much!

Challenges:
Serenity Scrappers - Christmas project
Papercraft Star - Photo inspiration
Bitten by the Bug 2 - Wreath from Joys of the Season
Creative Inspirations - Anything goes Christmas
ABC Challenge Blog - J is for jewels

24

Fantabulous Cricut "Deck The Halls" Crawl

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

In honour of the approaching Christmas holiday, we're having a "Deck The Halls" Crawl. Each Design Team member will be featuring an original Christmas/Holiday-themed project that could be used to decorate and spruce up their homes for the holiday season!

If you've come from visiting Joyce at Passion for Paper, 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 our DT members' blogs, AND there will be a Grand Prize up for grabs at FCCB for one participant that submits a "Deck The Halls" project at FCCB! How fun is that?

For my project, I created an advent tree. I purchased a small tree and pot at a craft store. I used gold spray paint to spray the pot and also added a bit over the tree for gold shimmer. I added a bow on the pot as well. I then created 24 “sour cream containers” using designer paper from K&Company’s Secret Santa pad, cutting each sheet into four 6x6 squares. Inside each pouch, I added a sentence from the First Christmas Story and some treats (mini candy canes, kisses, jubes, etc.). I cut the numbers using Cuttin’ Up. The scallop and circle frame are from Mini Monograms. I then punched a small hole in each pouch and hung them from the tree.

I also made the star tree topper from George and Basic Shapes. I actually used the sun, but hid the middle contours. I then cut some smaller “stars” the same way. I embossed the largest star using a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and added some word art from Christmas Cheer, cutting the top layer in green and the shadow in red. The little stars are attached with some gold jewellery wire. Each of the stars (large and small) was cut twice and adhered to each other in order to hide the tape and glue and to look finished from all angles.

Each night after supper, we open a pouch and enjoy the treats. The sentence from the story gets read and then added to our "advent wall". Every few days, we read all the sentences so far. The number tag is then removed from the pouch and added to the tree with the ribbon so the tree doesn't look bare.

The prize I’m offering contains journaling tag stamps, messy dates stamps and a make-your-own card set. To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post. If you are a follower, you are welcome to leave a second post for an extra entry. The winner will be announced on December 22.

Now it's your turn! Let's see your Christmas/Holiday-Themed Decor projects! Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project!

Next stop is Leigh's blog, My Scrappy Journey. Go and see what she has in store for you today. When you're done, make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest!

Happy Crawling!

97

Camel Birthday Card

What a week!  I had my final presentation to do in my course.  It had to be pre-recorded - which actually made the process much longer than usual, but much less stressful during the actual presentation.  I am now officially off school until the new year.  Woo hoo!  I loved my course though, and will miss it - as well as the instructor.  I had the privilege of being taught by a visiting professor from the University of Leeds.  I really enjoyed studying under her.

I made this card for my sister's birthday.  My nickname for her is "Kami" - short for camel.  (When we took a holiday to Egypt, I kept asking her to hold my things as I ran off to take photos.  She made a joke that I thought she was my camel - and the nickname began!)  I always find her things with a camel and make her cards with camels.

I cut the camel from Animal Kingdom and cut off its head - to replace it with one looking straight out.  I attached the head with a handmade wobble spring. I used my Chomas gel pen holder to draw the face and added green pearls for eyes.  The hat is from Doodlecharms and I added stickles to it.  Patterned papers are g.c.d.  The border and mini scallops were created with Stampin' Up punches and punched from the same paper as the mat.  I added more pearls to the mini scallops and also attached a little bow. 

If you haven't heard, Fantabulous Cricut is giving away prizes every day this week and next!  Be sure to leave comments there for your chance to win!

Also, Monday is the big Fantabulous Cricut "Deck the Halls" Crawl.  You won't want to miss all the fun - and more prizes to be won!

10

Birthday Card - and an award times three

I made this card for my husband, who recently celebrated his birthday.  When he opened it, he and the boys thought the image was a potato!!  Fortunately, my daughter recognized it as a dog.

I got the idea to use this dog with a cowboy hat from a card on the Cricut message board, created by Shelly at Shelly's Card Blog.  (I'm sorry I don't have a direct link to the card, but I couldn't find it there.)  I used Doodlecharms for the dog and Paper Doll Dress Up for the hat.  I simply cut the frame and rounded the corners with a Creative Memories corner rounder.  I positioned the frame on an angle which was a bit difficult for me as I'm all about balance and symmetry, but I really do like the look. The background paper and top layer of the mat were embossed with a Spots and Dots Cuttlebug folder.  The little frame for the sentiment was cut from Winter Frolic and the little border was punched with an EK Success border punch.  The circle was cut with George and Basic Shapes and the sentiment is one I picked up in a Michaels' $1.50 bin.  I added some twine and beads, as well as a little dog brad from my stash.  I did a lot of inking on this card - and tried to make the pup look like he was scruffy and in need of a shave.  I also added some metallic gold pen dots.  (They almost look white in the photo.) 

I'm also thrilled to have been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award from three wonderful blogging friends!  I feel so honoured and blessed to have been chosen by so many!  It's been a crazy couple of weeks as I finish up the school term with papers and presentations - so I'm especially delighted to have had a bright spot in the midst of my stress!!  (The good news is that I've just one presentation left to go this semester.  Woo hoo!!)  The Stylish Blogger Award was passed to me from:  Tara at Homemade Happiness, Sharon at Ladybug Designs, and Carol at Carol's Sweet Creations.  Part of the requirements of this blog award are to pass along 8 bits of information about myself:
1. I do not like snow (and my part of the world is currently covered in the white stuff!!)
2. I used to be very, very shy and still am a bit
3. I am quite patient and self-controlled - except when it comes to chocolate!!
4. When I was growing up, I always said that I would marry a man named Raoul.  My husband's name is an English derivative of Raoul. 
5. I always said I wanted two boys and a girl - and that's just what I've got.  I feel blessed with the "perfect" family
6. When I was a child, I made up a special name for my mother and still call her that name to this day.  I never call her "mum"!
7. My favourite flower is the daffodil
8.  I am a creature of habit and thrive on routine

I am now to pass this along to new blogging friends.  I am going to pass this along to all the members of the Fantabulous Design Team where there are a number of new members who are quickly becoming blog friends.

Also - don't miss the Fantabulous Cricut Blog Crawl coming up on December 13.  There will be lots of great projects to see and prizes to be won!

19

Fantabulous Cricut Ribbon Challenge

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, we are challenging you to use ribbon on your project.  I decided that I would make a set of Christmas tags as a thank you gift for a special friend of mine - and package them in a box tied with ribbon!  I made three sets of tags - with each set cut from Very Merry Tags.  The first set was cut from metallic gold and green cardstocks.  I used these same cardstocks for the box (a "crayon box") which was cut from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More.  I cut some mats and rounded the corners with a Creative Memories corner rounder punch.  The "For You" was cut from Winter Frolic and the little snowflakes were punched with a Martha Stewart punch.  I also embossed the top mat with the Divine Swirl Cuttlebug folder.  Before adhering the mats, I attached a gold ribbon to tie at the top of the box.

This photo is the back of the box.  The mats are slightly larger, but I did the same thing - this time using a reindeer that was left over from cutting out the tags.  (The little light bulbs are my favourite of all the tags.)

I also made some snowflake tags from pale blue and metallic white cardstock.  Each snowflake has either a white pearl or a clear gem in the centre. 

Another set was made using metallic shiny red cardstock with either metallic white (for the snowman and Santa) or glittery green (for the trees).  I added some gems to the trees as well.  (Sorry for the shadows and glare.  Those trees really are a magnificent green!)

The tags will all go inside the box for gift-giving!  Please head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see what the rest of the design team has come up with - and to enter your own project with ribbon!  I'd love to see what you create!

27

My Boys Layout

I created this layout for a challenge at Serenity Scrappers.  They are giving away a PhotoElf software program.  For the challenge, we were to create a 12x12 layout using three photos - using one of these three themes: Sights of Summer, Fall Frolic and Winter Wonders.  I chose to do Fall Frolic, using photos of my boys (one of which is really my man!) from our trip to the Metro Toronto Zoo in late September.

I cut the large mat from Accent Essentials.  The round photos were cut using the Creative Memories cutting system, which I also used for the circular mats behind them.  I used Opposites Attract for the title and Speaking of Fall for the different leaves.  I felt the page needed more, so went with a turtle from Walk in my Garden to pick up on the turtle crossing sign in one of the photos.  I also embossed the title and the turtle's shell.  I added a little journal box and some gems - and inked everything!  I popped "BOYS", the larger leaves and the turtle.  (I used the same yellow cardstock for all the lettering, leaves, turtle, and journal box - even though some cuts look like they are from a brighter yellow paper in the photos.)

Check out Serenity Scrappers!  There is such a fun group there.  It's certainly one of my favourite blogs!

13

A gift in the mail

My mailbox was bulging and I went out to find a surprise package from Rhonda at Scrap Happens.  Rhonda is a mini-album queen and uses her blog to showcase her work - which she gives away to followers!  I've been lucky enough to have received other albums from her in the past, but this one was a complete surprise.  It's devoted to blog friends.  I cried as I looked through each page, just so touched and blessed that she would make such a lovely album - and send it to me.  Thank you Rhonda!!  I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and most of all, your friendship.  Blessings to you!!

Here's my favourite page from inside.  I just love the purse-shaped pocket!

10

Achoo! Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #36

Well, it certainly does seem to be the time of year for different bugs and viruses going round.  Fortunately, I've been spared so far, but my youngest seems to be getting more than his fair share, poor little guy.  This week's challenge at Fantabulous Cricut is "Achoo" - make a card or project with a get well theme.

I made this card for my mother, who is going in for cataract surgery later this week.  I used Walk in My Garden for the flower and cut it multiple times, starting at 3 inches and working 1/4 inch down for a total of 7 cuts.  The centre of the flower is an Itty Bitty punch from Stampin' Up.  I inked each layer and crumpled them by hand, staggering them as I layered them.  There is a tiny bead in the very middle of the flower.  The sentiment frame was cut from George and Basic Shapes and the sentiment itself is a Stampin' Up stamp and punched with a Stampin' Up punch.  I added two eyelets to the sentiment frame and laced ribbon through it.  I actually inked the ribbon a bit as well as it seemed too bright and new for the card.  The sentiment frame is popped, and the sentiment itself is also popped.  Both mats were inked, and the top mat was run through the Cuttlebug before attaching a large brad from which I "hung" the ribbon.

Head on over to Fantabulous Cricut to see what the other design team members have made to inspire you.  As always, there are great prizes up for grabs and I'd love to see what you create!

15

Attitude Award and a Quick Card

First of all, I'd like to thank Rhonda at Scrap Happens for passing along the Attitude Award.  Rhonda has a great blog where she showcases her fantastic mini-albums - which she so kindly and generously gives away to followers!! 

Receiving this award means telling three things that make me "me" and passing it along.
1. I want to go to med school when I retire.
2. I don't drink coffee or tea, but I love hot chocolate.
3. I read the dictionary for fun.

I would like to pass this award along to:
Serenity Scrappers (check them out - they have a new challenge being announced tomorrow with their first sponsor!)
Angi at Cokie Pop Paper Boutique
Kel at Sandcastle Stamper
Wendy at SugarPea Designs
Tracey at Trace-Elementz

Now for the card... My son was invited to a party and I had limited time to make a card with all the goings-on over the past few days.  I was able to make something quickly and decided to post it just to show how having the right tools can make it simple to whip up a fast creation.

I used my Cuttlebug on the back mat, the scalloped square, the top layer of the numbers, the sentiment, and the cupcake parts.  I used an EK Success punch for the cupcake.  The scallop frame and shadow were cut using Mini Monograms and the 13 and shadow were cut from Opposites Attract.  A little bit of glue and some Pop Dots later, and voilà!

13

Rudolph the Carolling Reindeer

I feel as though I am in heaven.  I had no commitments this evening.  No class, no running around with kids, no homework... As my husband left for basketball, he asked what I would do with the extra time.  I looked at him in mock shock and answered, "Craft!"  He laughed and replied that he should have known!  I did finish reading the novel Voyage of the Dawn Treader with my youngest too.  What a great evening!

Earlier, I was visiting Stampwilly Designs and was smitten by the adorable reindeer card that April had made.  I thought it was such a clever idea that I just had to make one myself!  You can see April's card HERE.

The card is 5.25 x 5.25 inches.  I used a Creative Memories corner rounder punch on the card base and the white mat.  I embossed the white mat with a snowflake embossing folder from Cuttlebug.  This week, the theme at Serenity Scrappers is "roll with the punches".  I have a few punch around the page sets, and have only once used a set to create a full border - so was inspired by my friends at Serenity Scrappers to give it a go!  I used a Martha Stewart snowflake set to create the red mat.

Rudolph's face, mouth, teeth and nose were cut with George and Basic Shapes and the hoofs and antlers were cut with Christmas Cheer.  I manipulated the images in Design Studio to find the sizes I was happy with.  I printed off a bit of music (Away in a Manger - I wanted Rudolph to really be carolling!)  and attached a ribbon bow tie (my ribbon just didn't look right as a scarf) and I had my take on the card.

I am entering this card at:
Anything Goes Challenge Blog (embossing)
Made by Momo (use some sort of embossing on your project)
Crazy 4 Challenges (square card)
Cards for Men (animals)

20

Vintage Christmas ATCs

I just finished creating 6 groups of 12 ATCs for a swap on the Cricut message board.  For each group, we were given the song titles to two Christmas songs and were then to create an ATC based on either the title, line, word, or thought from one of the songs.

For group 1, I chose the line "When the clock is striking 12" from Jolly Old St. Nicholas.  I cut the grandfather clock from Nursery Rhymes and then cut off the little mouse.  The background image is computer generated, as is the clock face, which I then cut with a scallop punch and covered with UTEE.  There a border cut with an MS punch, a photo corner made with and EK Success punch and everything is inked.  The clock is also popped.  I added some gold "pearls" to finish things off.  I think that this one is my favourite.

Group 2 represents the song Winter Wonderland.  The image is random.  I used a MS snowflake border punch and the little branches were cut using a MS punch as well.  The Merry Christmas sentiment was stamped with a Carleton Cards stamp and the tag and border were cut out with Stampin' Up punches.  I embossed the background with a Sizzix embossing folder, and used my MS score board as well. Everything is inked and the sentiment is popped.  This card looks NOTHING like my original plan (which started as stamped trees and glitter), but I am pleased with the final result.

I was inspired by the line "Let earth receive her king" from Joy to the World for the third group.  I cut the baby in the manger from Christmas Village (without the cut for the stand).  Both the Joy to the World and star cuts are from Winter Frolic.  I also embossed the background with a Cuttlebug folder and inked some portions of this card.  The baby in the manger is popped.

Group 4 is Sleigh Ride!  I used a Stampin' Up ticket corner punch on the patterned paper (from DCWV's Holiday Stack) and attached some ribbon.  The sleigh is cut from metallic gold cardstock, using Christmas Cheer and attached with Pop Dots.  I attached a coordinating flower to finish things off.  My daughter likes this one best of all.

I chose the line "They who travelled far" from C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S for group 5.  I used Versamark to stamp an Inkadinkado stamp on black cardstock and then used gold embossing powder over the image.  I then layered two window frames which I cut using George and Basic Shapes and Accent Essentials.  I embossed the top layer using a Cuttlebug folder and added three gold gems to the bottom.  I love the Victorian look of this card.

Group 6 is Let it Snow.  The pink frame was cut from Ashlyn's Alphabet, the circle frame from George and Basic Shapes, and the snowflake from Joys of the Season (using a metallic white cardstock).  I embossed the circle frame with a Sizzix folder and the background cardstock with a Cuttlebug folder.  The corners were punched with an EK Success punch.  I also added a gemstone to the centre of the snowflake, which is popped. 

13

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge: Bird Bonanza

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the theme is Bird Bonanza.  We've had a crazy couple of weeks at our house and I feel like I've been running like a chicken with her head cut off.  However, I was able to get away with some friends for the weekend and feel like I've got a bit of energy to make it through the week ahead!  I decided to make a Christmas card as I am already looking forward to the time off and time to spend with the family.

I cut the frame of my card using Ashlyn's Alphabet.  The bird in the decorated tree is from Winter Frolic.  The papers are either from DCWV's Holiday Stack, or they are just regular cardstock (with metallic cardstock used for the shadow of the tree).  I had meant to add some embossing, but by the time I realized I had forgotten, it was too late!  I did use a Fiskar's border punch and also punched the labels with Stampin' Up punches.  The sentiment is from a Carleton Cards set that I picked up on clearance after Christmas last year.  I inked everything and added some ruby coloured half-pearls.
(I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to visit as many blogs as usual.  My youngest was home for a week and a half with chicken pox - and returned to school last week only to develop an ear infection.  He's been feeling better since Thursday, but I'm far behind in my work and am now playing catch-up with my studies and reviews.)

16

Fantabulous Cricut - Leaves Challenge

Happy Monday!
This week at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, the theme is leaves. 

I made this card using paper from a Marcella pad.  It was the first paper pad I ever bought!  I embossed the mat with my Cuttlebug, and punched the corners with a Fiskars corner punch.
I welded the leaves and shadows in Design Studio, using Ashlyn's Alphabet.  The letters are from Nursery Rhymes.  This font has only a blackout shadow feature, which I didn't care for much here, so I made an extra hole in the shadow of the "e" in Design Studio.  The leaves and letters, as well as the edges of the mat, are all inked with a gold ink which is now all over my craft table - and me!!  The border behind the letters was cut using an EK Success punch (which is the most difficult border punch I've ever used.  This was take three, and I'm still not overly happy with it).  I popped the leaves and added a bow.  (Just in case you are not sure, the word spells "merci", which is French for "thank you".)

Please hop on over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the rest of the projects by the Design Team - and add one of your own!

14

Best Fishes - Throwback Thursday Challenge

I made this card for my niece who is celebrating her birthday. I decided to incorporate the rules for this week’s Throwback Thursday Challenge at My Creative Time as well: make a shape card using Creative Critter (or any other cartridge) AND include the colour orange.

I made this entire card using Create a Critter. The fish bowl, water, seaweed, and sand were all cut at 5 inches. I cut two fish – one at 1 ¾ and the other at one inch. I used Colorbök’s Pearlescent paper for many of the cuts, and regular cardstock for the rest. I added some faux stitching and some ribbon to the front. I also did a bit of coloured ink work on the faces of the fish, embossed their bodies and popped them on the card front. The inside sentiment was computer-generated with a sticker placed underneath.

Now I’m off to prepare part of tomorrow’s feast.  (This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada.) With such a large family, many hands make light work - and LOTS of food!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

20

Fantabulous Cricut - National Bake and Decorate Month

Happy Bake and Decorate Month!  This week at Fantabulous Cricut, we're celebrating the month by creating a bake-themed project with our Cricut.  I love to bake, and have a family that loves to eat my baking!  I tend to stick to cookies and squares though.  I wanted to create something to do with baking, but I challenged myself to connect it to some actual baking as well.

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that I do something I call "Lunchbox Loveletter Lundi" (lundi is French for Monday).  I like to tuck little handmade cards and notes into the lunches of my family members.  This week, each of my favourite people will get a pouch holding a cookie.  I'd wanted to put two cookies in the pouches, but they just didn't fit!

I used Sesame Street Friends for this project.  I cut the jar at 5.5 - first with the blackout feature, and then the top layer.  I cut two of these for each pouch - with one flipped.  I also cut out the letters to spell "COOKIES" and the little cookies for the top of the jar.  I inked everything and also added some white pen dots.  Once the front was all assembled and ready to go, I attached it to the flipped blackout, but left the top open in order to create a pouch.

I then cut tags using the cookie image at 2.5.  This was also done using the blackout feature and then the next layer feature.  I punched a little hole in each tag and attached some raffia, which I then tied around a baggie holding a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. 

Come on over to Fantabulous Cricut and use your Cricut to create a new project with a baking theme!  I'd love to see your creation!

**  Redraw Winner!!  **

The Stampin' Up "It's the Thought" stamp set that I offered during our Fantabulous Cricut Blog Crawl was not claimed, so I chose another winner through Random.org.  This time, the lucky winner is Sucor!!  Congratulations Sucor!!  Please contact me at smallbitsofpaper (at) hotmail (dot) com with your mailing details. 
(You have until October 13, 2010 to claim your prize.)

21

Hydrangea Card

This week's challenge at Serenity Scrappers is a colour challenge: purple, blue, and green.  This really was a challenge for me, but I finally figured out what to do.

I used Walk In My Garden to cut the wheelbarrow at 2.5.  The hydrangeas were cut at 4.5.  I used different coloured purple cardstock for the hydrangeas and inked everything with SU's Purely Pomegranate.  (The wheelbarrow was inked with Chocolate Chip.)  I popped the wheelbarrow and the flowers.  I cut green and blue cardstock to size, and embossed the blue with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots.  I then used a MS border punch for the hydrandgea border and a MS 3-in-1 punch for the extra flowers.  I tied a ribbon around the punched border.  I also used a Gelly Roll Pen to add the centers to the hydrangeas.  The sentiment was stamped with a SU stamp and punched out with SU punches.  I also cut some photo corners with an EK Success punch and added gems to the middle of those.

8

Birthday Card - and a winner!

While attending a conference some time ago, I won a door prize of a huge basket from Purdy's Chocolates.  (Their chocolates are AMAZING.) On one of the boxes of chocolates in the basket, there was a beautiful bow that I could not bear to throw out.  I kept it, but have never used it until now.  It was PERFECT for this card, and well worth the room it took up while waiting for just the right project!

I made this card for my husband's mother's 80th birthday.  I used a Cuttlebug folder for the embossed candles, which was done using a shimmery white cardstock.  The patterned paper is some loose paper which I bought at Michael's ages ago.  I bought quite a bit of the same paper!  I used my Stampin' Up border punch and then punched the corners with the corner punch from the same set.  I also added a pink pearl in each of the four corners.

I will enter this card at Practical Scrappers, where this week the challenge is to use ribbon, at Alphabet Challenge, where the letter of the week is U - for unused stash, and at the Corrosive Challenges Blog, where we were challenged to use some craft supplies that have had an extended life of unuse!

Fantabulous Cricut Blog Crawl Winner
Thanks again to all who participated in the Fantabulous Crawl Blog Crawl last week.  The winner of the Stampin' Up "It's the Thought" clear stamp set (chosen at random) is DtsArt!  DtsArt, please email me at smallbitsofpaper(at)hotmail(dot)com with your mailing address.  Congratulations!!
(You have until September 29, 2010 to claim your prize.)

15

Fantabulous Cricut - Harvest Time

Happy Monday!  First of all, I'd like to welcome all my new followers.  I had such a delightful time with our Fantabulous Cricut Blog Crawl and enjoyed reading each of the comments that was left for me.  I DO have a winner for the blog hop, but I learned over the weekend that we are to announce winners on Wednesday.  My apologies regarding that (as I had noted in my post last week that I would announce them today.)

This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the theme is Harvest Time.  I'm not sure about your area, but it is certainly harvest time here in Ontario, Canada.  The days are getting shorter and much cooler, and the world is becoming a vibrant array of reds, oranges, yellows and browns.  It truly is spectacular.

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, so I decided to make a Thanksgiving card for the harvest theme.  At our family gatherings, we always sing the chorus of "All Good Gifts" as a blessing before eating.  (We sing the old-fashioned hymn version.  I did find an upbeat version, but it just doesn't sound "right"!)  I decided to use this chorus as the sentiment for my card.

I computer-generated the sentiment with WordArt.  I then used a Fiskars corner punch and inked the paper.  The frame and shadow were cut from Winter Frolic.  They are actually tags, but I removed the holes in Design Studio.  I ran the top layer through my Cuttlebug Diamond Plate folder. The cornucopia and much of its contents were cut from Speaking of Fall, but I used Doodlecharms to cut some more apples.  Everything is inked and layered.  I felt the card needed a bit more, so I added some leaves punched with a Martha Stewart punch and added some half-beads as well.

Thanks so much for popping by!  Please join us this week at Fantabulous Cricut with your own take on our Harvest Time theme!

(I'm also entering this card at Paper Sundaes, where the theme this week is to use Fall or Hallowe'en colours.)

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Make It Stop (Headless Snowman) Card

This week is WOW week at Serenity Scrappers.  WOW stands for "Week of Weather".  We have been challenged to create a project reflecting our favourite weather.  I actually did the opposite!

I HATE snow, but one of my dearest friends just loves it.  She has snowflake everything - snowflake towels, snowflake dishes, snowflake utensils, snowflake socks that she wears year-round, etc., etc.!  Whenever it snows, we blame her - and she's always swamped with "angry" calls during the first snowfall of the year.  I decided to make her a "threatening" card to drop at her house when the snow starts to fall this year.  I know she'll get a huge kick out of this. 

I used Winter Frolic for the snowman and all his accessories, which I glittered.  I used Design Studio to turn his smile into a frown.  The snowy mountains were cut with Zooballoo and run through the Cuttlebug, using a snow folder and a little butterfly folder (using only the little dots for the peaks).  The tree was cut from Christmas Cheer and I computer generated the sentiment.  I also added some little beads.

And now for the inside...

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Happy First Birthday Card

I haven't entered a challenge in ages and decided to do just that today.  I took the day off and did lots of crafting - some ATCs and some cards.  My nephew is turning one soon (I can't believe it!) and I wanted to make him a card.  Emma from My Creative Time also has a challenge out to use an older cartridge for a card (or layout).  I was playing around in Design Studio, looking at various modes of transportation and as soon as I saw the train on New Arrival, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to use!

I cut the train at 2 1/2 inches - cutting various layers in different colours.  I used Plantin Schoolbook for the number one, but manipulated it a bit in Design Studio to get the size I wanted.  I also used George and Basic Shapes to recreate the wheels - and created wheels for the shadow of the number one as well.

Yesterday, I learned of a great tip for making glitter paste from Linda at The Paper Boutique.  You can watch her video tutorial here.  In fact, she's got a number of great tutorials on her YouTube channel.  I followed her directions for glitter paste and used it for the number one.  I also added regular glitter glue to some other aspects of the train. 

I used an EK Success border punch for the grass (which I then ran through my Cuttlebug) and another EK Success punch for the photo corners.  Yet another EK Success punch was used for the little cupcakes which I placed on the train's cars.  I also used a Sizzix embossing folder on the two cars.  I felt that the engine needed something more, so I used a bit of matching cardstock, cut it to size, glittered it, and then glued it on.  Lots of the card's parts are popped too.

(By the way, if you have not yet participated in the Fantabulous Cricut Button Up for School Blog Crawl, there is still time!  I'm giving away a Stampin' Up Stamp Set on my post, so be sure to enter if you haven't already.  You have until Saturday night at midnight.)

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Fantabulous Cricut Crawl: Button Up for School

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

If you've come from visiting Leigh at My Scrappy Journey, 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.

In honour of Back To School time, we're calling our second Fantabulous Cricut Crawl "Button Up For School".  Each design team member will be featuring a button somewhere on her project.

Each design team member will be showcasing an original project which will feature a button AND a Cricut cut somewhere on the project. Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration! There will be prizes along the way at our DT members' blogs too, AND there will be a grand prize up for grabs at FCCB for one participant that submits a project meeting the the "Button Up For School" challenge criteria!  How fun is that?

I love to hide little treats in the lunchboxes of my loved ones (kids and husband alike)!  Last Tuesday was the first day of school for my crew, so I did a bit of baking for them, and decided to make things extra special by creating small "back to school" bags in which to place the treats.  For this project, I used Tags, Bags, Boxes and More to cut little bags using paper from DCWV's Spring Stack (even though back to school symbolizes the end of summer/beginning of fall).  The books and apple are an image that I cut from Hello Kitty Greetings using different colours of cardstock.  I then handcut an initial for each family member using scraps from the creation of the bag.  I placed a coordinating button above the initial and added some ribbon to the bag.  Everybody was thrilled to find their surprises at lunch!

I'll be offering a prize here on my blog.  All you have to do is leave a comment for this post!  If you are a follower, please leave a SECOND comment for an extra entry.  You have until Saturday evening at midnight (Eastern) to enter.  I will post the winner's name on next week's Fantabulous Cricut challenge post (Monday).

What am I offering?  I am offering an It's the Thought stamp set from Stampin' Up, which I received from my wonderful demonstrator, Mandy.  If you are in Canada, Mandy can help you with all your Stampin' Up needs (and believe me, she's fantastic).  Check out her blog at Kids' Collage. 

Now it's your turn! See if you can incorporate a button on your own "Button Up For School" project. Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project!

Next stop... Joyce's blog, Passion for Paper. 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 Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest!

Happy Crawling!

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Fantabulous Cricut - Labour Day Challenge

Happy Labour Day!  I trust you are all enjoying a wonderful day off.  Here in Ontario, school starts up again tomorrow.  I hate that summer is over, but we've had such a good one with lots of family time.  Precious memories!

(Just an aside... In Canada, we love the letter "u"!  We use it in word's like labour, colour, honour, valour, savour, favour, etc.)

My sister recently had surgery to have part of her thyroid removed.  Thankfully, surgery went well and the cysts were benign.  She is recovering nicely.  For her post-op appointment, she asked me to make a card for the surgeon.  I thought this fit perfectly with our FCCB Labour Day Challenge!  Rachel sent me a picture of her surgeon, and I did my best to create a paper doll version of him.  Most of the images (including the hospital) were cut from Everyday Paper Dolls, but the hair and glasses were cut from Paper Doll Dress up and the grass was cut from Zooballoo.  I did have to trim the hair a bit!  I hand wrote Hospital, which was a big deal for me as I hate to hand write on my creations - plus, my dominant right arm is recovering from injury so my fine motor skills are causing me more grief than usual these days!

Come and join the fun at FCCB!  Your labour day creation can have anything to do with work - a particular job, a retirement, promotion, vacation from work, etc.  Just remember to create a new project and use your Cricut!

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