Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Here's an example of two similar cards, one made for a little girl and one made for an adult. Just by changing the bunny on the front of the card it completely changed the feel of the card from a fun card to something a little more sophisticated. I added a cute carrot to the inside along with the sentiment, "Some bunny loves you".

First of all, I planned the card using my Gypsy. I made myself templates for all card sizes so I can try out images on different layers to see how they fit and so I can maximize my paper by cutting several images at the same time. You can now do similar things on the new Cricut Craftroom website. Although I am a member of the site, I haven't used it other than to play with different images. My iMac computer is in my office on the main floor but my Cricut Expression is in my craft room which is a converted bedroom on the second floor.

I started with a pastel tartan background paper and cut Happy Easter from the Phrases Cricut cartridge in dark purple and light mauve. The child's bunny was cut using the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge and the stylized bunny was cut from the Gypsy Wanderings Cricut cartridge. I added a green peppermint twine as a collar. The carrot that I added to the inside of the card was cut from the Just Because Cards Cricut cartridge.

I sent out a bunch of these cards to friends and relatives. It was a real production line. I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

A BIG thanks from the "troupe"

My daughter works for a large corporation. Recently, one of their clients hosted an evening at the latest Cirque du Soleil show, Totem, which was absolutely awesome! To thank them, I made a very large card for everyone at her office to sign and present to the client.

Part of the show had jungle animals so my starting point was a jungle theme. I started by taking a large piece of foam core (about 24" square) and added paper supported by wooden skewers to represent the tent topper and flags were added to the sticks. Next I a cut a large tree which was the focal point of the show as well as this card. I embossed the trunk and added vines were added for the money's to swing on. The apes and monkeys were cut from the Animal Kingdom and Create a Critter Cricut cartridges. I created dimension by cutting just the faces and mounted them on pop dots. Grass was cut from the Stretch Your Imagination Cricut cartridge and curled to add texture. Finally designed paper was folded and added to the card to represent stage curtains. The caption at the top read thanks from the "troupe".

Everyone where my daughter works absolutely loved the card and gladly signed their name on tummy of their favorite animal. When she presented it to the client, they fell in love with it and said it was so thoughtful and imaginative.

I was so pleased that everyone liked it. It was really fun to make.

To the Beach We Go

I know what you're thinking...that's it's a little early for beach talk but the themed challenge this week at Cricut Cardz Challenge is to make a card relating the beach.

I knew immediately that I wanted to make a card that showed water. I chose a light blue cardstock that I embossed using a swirl folder which I passed it through my Cuttlebug. I took a blue Momento petal ink cartridge and rubbed it over the swirls to add dimension. I also applied some Martha Stewart ice blue glitter to some of the "waves". The whale was cut using my Create a Critter cartridge out of a darker blue card stock. White gel pen was added to create a bit of dimension. Of course I added a bit of glitter to his water spout. The word "splash" was also cut from the Create a Critter cartridge. Blue organza ribbon completes the card.

I think the card really turned out to be a cute one. We can go to the beach and see our own water creatures but I would recommend that we wait until the weather is a bit warmer. Keep on crafting 'til then!

Is it Spring Yet?

Well for those at Cricut Cardz Challenge it is. With Spring being right around the corner, I think, the challenge this week is to make a card for Spring using only pink, green and white ONLY but you can use any cartridge you'd like.

I checked out my Create a Critter cartridge and found a sweet little chick and egg which I thought was cute. I have a lovely piece of light green paper with pink and green flowers and leaves on it. Wasn't that lucky! I cut the cracked egg in pink and the little chick out of white. Green beak and tummy complete the image. Then I thought about the caption. The words "ta da" add a cute factor. I hope you like it.

Why not go over to Cricut Cardz Challenge and see what other members of my team came up with.

Just Chillin'

The challenge this week at Cricut Cardz Challenge is to create a card using any cartridge or theme but using only red, black and white. My Create a Critter cartridge came to the rescue and as soon as I saw the penguin, my plan started to come together. On white cardstock I added a cranberry red background so that the black and white penguin and the igloo would stand out. I also added a little sparkle to it. My penguin friend is holding a flagpole out of black chenille pipe cleaner announcing that he is "Just Chillin'". I think in January this is exactly what everyone needs to do. Sit back after a hectic Christmas season and enjoy the sunshine and winter weather whether that be snowy or not. Pretty soon it will be Spring!

Stop over at Cricut Cardz Challenge and join us for Challenge #57. See you there.