Altered Box

  
     Good morning my fellow Divas! I'm Diva Mary and I am so happy to show you a neat project as a member of the Cricut Divas DT . Today I am going to show you what I did with an old box a wallet came in and how my Cricut helped me perform some magic. For this project I used my original and trusty Expression as well as the flower Shoppe and
Graphically speaking cartridges. Let's take a look shall we:
      First I started with an empty box. I pulled out some scrap card stock and was lucky enough to find one that matched perfectly. I even had some pieces to make the flowers! These were cut @ 1" from the image on page 14 in Flower Shoppe. I cut all the layers in the handbook. I inked the edges and then spritzed them with some glimmer mist. here's a tip just in case you don't already know this. When making paper flowers it is best to ink first then mist. If you use the glimmer mist first, then the ink, the glimmer will get on your ink pad and that is not good for future projects. Just a little FYI.

  
     After some ink and glimmer mist the flowers were shaped. I already had some mulberry printed leaves so, a little perfect pearls helped to add some shimmer. The rhinestone is by Crystal It. These are so gorgeous in person.

     I cut the butterfly and layer @ 1.25" and the phrase @ 1.50". These images are both found on page 57 in Graphically Speaking. You'll notice that part of the base layer on the butterfly is missing. I used the center point feature on my E but didn't set the blade in the right spot. I was not worried since the top layer would cover it. I added some Black Diamond Stickles to the top layer.  Here's the finished project:

     I also added some ribbon to the edge of the cover to really tie it all together: A few black pearls in the corners added the finishing touch.

     I used this box to give a few gift cards to my daughter for her birthday. Needless to say she loved it! I have some more info about this project on my blog: http://Mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com

A Glittery Feathered Friend

    
     Good morning from the Cricut Diva Mary! I trust you are finally enjoying some Springtime weather. I didn't think Winter would ever end, lol. Today a have a wonderful card to share with you using the French Manor cartridge and my Expression machine. I used the Cricut Craft Room to design this card for my Mom's 88th birthday. She loves birds so I thought I'd make a real fancy one: a peacock.


   
 I used the peacock image cut @ 4" from page 46 in the booklet and then inked the edges a bit. I cut the layer 2 times. One was cut using blue, the other in green. I like to ink my edges while it is still on the mat. It makes it easier to ink all edges with the paper still around the image. I remove the excess card stock after it is inked.


    
The base is from the same cart but on page 35 with the feature Card 2. I cut it @ 5.50". I used CCR in order to make sure the peacock fit in the frame. CCR is an awesome program. Even though I have the Gypsy, I like the fact that it is on a larger screen in the CCR, so it is easier to see that your placement is correct. I do use the mat feature so the card is on one layer and I just go to my second mat for the Peacock.



     After building the layers, it was now time to decorate it up. This is nice but not outstanding, yet. Just a tip for you: when gluing small pieces like the feather tips, I use a quickie glue pen by Sakura. It has a ball point tip so it is easy to apply the glue without getting it all over the place.



     Can you tell I love Liquid Pearls and Stickles? Now this peacock is styling!!! I also added a bow from 3girlsjam, some pearls and an angel stick pin from Pinque Peacock Shop. Be on the lookout for a wreath for Mom following this same theme.
     I hope you have enjoyed my card today. I have already given this to my Mom and I am happy to report she loved it!!!!