Challenge Time At Going Buggy

     My cyber friend Enfys is having a challenge at Going Buggy. http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/2012/01/going-buggy-challenge.html.  I entered with my Hang In There Card but thought some of might also be interested in joining in on the fun! Just follow the link. I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

 This is my take using the Red, Black and White!!! Ooh La La!

A New Award And A Little Purse!

     Welcome back everyone. No you are not seeing things my blog has a new look. Ok so it's a work in progress,lol. Thanks Steve for all your help! First I would like to thank Yvette @ http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/ for passing on this wonderful Liebster Blog Award. I feel so honored to receive this.

The origins of the Liebster Blog award are somewhat unclear but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany, Liebster meaning favorite or dearest, to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Upon accepting the award the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of note.
           Here are my choices for the Liebster Blog Award. These ladies do such wonderful work and I am sure they will inspire you too:
1.Tamara @ www.sospoileditscute.blogspot.com
2.Teresa @ http://createenjoyshare.blogspot.com
3. Tess @ www.hiltonlife.blogspot.com
4. Janet @ www.janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com
5. Jen @ www.mybusycraftylife.blogspot.com
     

          I hope you had a chance to see my Hang In There post from yesterday. It was so much fun to do! If you didn't have a chance you can find it here: http://mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com/2012/01/hang-in-there.html.
     To create this cute purse I used Tags, Bags, Boxes And More. I found the image on pg. 118 and used the fit to page option.The paper is on the Imagine More Cards cartridge. I used the Spellbinders Shapeabilities Ladies Fashion Buckles and the Spellbinders craft foils in silver. In order to achieve a distressed look, I used alcohol inks by Adirondack in silver and pitch black. I love using alcohol inks!!!

      In order to add some texture I used a cuttlebug folder. I think it is Cherry Blossoms. Which ever one it was, it matched the design in the paper perfectly.I put some of Tim Holtz techniques to work on this one. After it was embossed I sanded lightly and added some Spun Sugar ink to the edges. Then, to give it a leather like look, I used an embossing ink and added clear embossing powder and then used my heat gun. So cool!!!! I did have to do it several times but I really love the results.  
 I used a piece of scrap ribbon to lace through the buckle. I just used my ATG gun to adhere to the card and trimmed it even with the edge and added a Celebrate It flowers from Michaels.

     I just wanted you to see the side view. The rhinestone was black but I stamped it with the silver alcohol ink and it blended in perfectly and still has it's sparkle!

     Be sure to visit http://www.shop.ericascraftroom.com/ from January 24th on. Erica has fabulous prices on all sort of crafting supplies. Tell her For The Love Of Art sent you!!!

Hang In There!

     Welcome to Imagine Monday! Today we could use the Imagine, Expression 2 or CCR, I chose to use the Imagine More Cards and the Snapshot Texture cartridges for the Imagine. Just make sure when you're done that you be sure to check back at My Cricut Craft Room and see what the other team members have to show you for their creative and fun projects.
     For now, sit back, relax and I'll show you how I to used the pattern papers  to make my project for today.

     I first printed out this great background paper. The Imagine comes with a built in cart Imagine More with some great shapes. If you scroll to the end you can print a 5x7 swatch that is printed to the proportionate size. I layered this on a piece of glossy card stock.

     As you can see I added some stitching with silver thread.

     I always pull my stitching to the back so there are no threads hanging around.

     I used the Ornamental Iron cart to cut out this "gate" . The image is on the last row, 5th from the left @ 4.75" with the shadow feature. I also did some distressing with Pumice Stone and Black Soot inks. I bet you are wondering what that little hole is for.

     Well a hanger of course! I cut the gate to go with the shadow out of black/charcoal card stock. I also used a Zig pen and silver embossing pen to add some more details. The hole was for this brad to hang a Tim Holtz hanger!

      I love this stamp by Pink By Design. I got to color with my Copic Markers (R22,R24, R27 and R29.) but I made a real bad mistake. While inking the edges I smudged some ink on the design after I had it all colored! I hate when that happens. So after my stickles dried I came up with a solution, why not add a pink ribbon!

     Voila I think it works. Shh, we are the only ones that know what lies beneath!

     After adding a few rhinestones, my sentiment from Pink By Design and some stickles on the lace, its time to hang it up!!!

     Be sure to come back tomorrow, I have a matching bag to show you! Now head back over to My Cricut Classroom. By the way, you won't want to miss all the excitement happening over there. Erica is opening her new store Jan.24th (and we all know how great her prices are!). So be sure to check out her store tab on the blog! Hope you have fun shopping!!!
     

Designers' Calendar

     Welcome to my very first Erica's Design Team project. I am delighted that you stopped by. Grab a cup of coffee and let's talk Cricut! On this day you could use the Imagine, Cricut mini or the Expression 2. I used both the Imagine and the E 2.
     You will need magnetic vinyl, printable vinyl and solid vinyl in various colors as well as Designers Calendar cart and a deep cut blade and housing.

       I have found it so much easier to apply the vinyl to the magnet vinyl before I cut out the shapes.This is especially helpful if you do a shadow layer for your project. I used the Cricut alphabet that came with the E2 to cut my numbers. They were all cut @.75 but I think if I did this again I would make them smaller.* Just be careful the font you choose. You want a fairly stable font. You could probably use Base Camp etc.
     The settings to cut this are: Speed 3, Pressure 5, Blade 6 and multiple cuts 4.
     You need to cut: 14-1's,13 2's, 5-3's,4-4's, 3 each of 5,6,7,8,9,0's. ( Don't you love it when someone else figures out the math, lol).

      I realized after cutting all these #'s that it would be a pain to move them all around every month (another one of those monthly curses!) so I decided to put them on a magnetic stamp shape. I used Elegant Edges @ 1.25" (its 2nd row down, 4th from the right and shift key. I cut these the same way as the #'s adhering the vinyl to the magnetic vinyl as before.
     I LOVE to try new products and, as luck would have it, I had just received my order for Glimmer Glaze by Tattered Angels in. This one is Fuzzy Coconut which is a copper color. So I decided I should try it out on this project. Ohh I like it.!!! To make sure the numbers stayed put I used some really small glue dots to the numbers. Those things aren't going anywhere! Are you ready to see the months?

 
     Before I cut these out I did some test cuts on paper because they weren't all proportional. Here is the list I came up with however you may want to tweak it to fit your needs: Jan.,Feb.,May,July, Aug., and Sept., were @1.5". April was cut @ 1.25" and June,Oct., Nov., Dec., @ 1.0".
     I used the printable vinyl in my Imagine and Snapshot Nature for Jan., March, May and September. The months of Feb and April I used Imagine More cart. You do have to print and cut the months separate from the magnet vinyl for this part. I also cut the other months from various solid vinyl before placing on the magnetic vinyl. I really like cutting it all at once on the magnetic vinyl because it is so much easier and you don't have to "play" getting it to line up right.

   Here you have the completed project. Now go grab another cup of  coffee and head over to My Cricut Craft Room and see what the other DT members have to show you.My Cricut Craft Room

One New Years' Resolution Fulfilled!

        Welcome to all my new followers. I am so glad you decided to stop by.
    I am going to make this quick since I have a LOT of crafting to do. I am pleased to announce that I have made the Design Team for Erica's Craft Room. This is such a great honor and I am so grateful to have this opportunity.
     I discovered her web store in the fall and OMG does she have great prices especially on cricut cartridges. I have been able to quickly build my Imagine library. So, when Erica put out a call for the seasonal Design Team I thought ok its time to start using some of these supplies and start sharing some tips, tricks and yes, the misses as well. This was ONE goal I had for 2012 to apply for design teams. Cross #1 off the bucket list, lol.
     Be sure to follow her blog: http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com and be sure to visit her store which will reopen Jan. 24. FYI my first post for the team will be up Jan. 16th so be sure to mark your calenders. I'll be using my Imagine!!!