Wednesday, September 29, 2010

More Items for Craft Fair

Its been a busy week, getting everything together for the Craft fair on Saturday. I made more magnet frames and here are some Halloween themed frames.

All frames were cut with the opening to hold a 4 x 6 photo - the frames measure 5 3/4" high by 7 3/4" approximately. I purchased the adhesive backed magnet sheets from Hobby Lobby. The sheet is 12 x 24" and I was able to cut 6 - 6 x 8" sheets from it. I applied the cardstock to the magnet sheet before cutting and when I cut it, I set the multi cut on my Gypsy to 3.

This first frame was made with Happy Hauntings. I LOVE this cartridge. It has lots of great Halloween themed images, including some great frames. This has the four skulls on the corners, and I added a bat, a pumpkin and BOO.



I used Lacy Labels for the shape for this one, using my Gypsy to weld two sizes to make the frame and the bat and pumpkin are also from Happy Hauntings.

This one is another frame from Happy Hauntings, made with DCWV Halloween paper stack.

This last one, the frame was cut using Lacy labels and the Images from Happy Hauntings.


Tomorrow I'll post more frames, different themes.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are enjoying the final days of September!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Lee DeWyze Concert WOW!


Last week, my friend Marie called and asked if I would like to go with her to see Lee DeWyze. He would be performing at Arlington Park Racetrack (Arlington Heights, IL) and I said YES! I hadn't been watching much of Idol over the past few years, but when I heard they had a contestant from the town where I lived, I had to check it out. He received a great deal of support from Mount Prospect and the surrounding suburbs and we are very proud of our American Idol winner! And now, I was going to have the chance to see him in concert!

It was held in the grandstands at the racetrack and the weather was a bit cool to be outdoors, and we were in the last row at the top, but none of that mattered once he appeared on stage. He sang some songs I didn't recognize, a few I did (The Boxer, Hallelujah, Rocket Man). He did one song, I think was called "Dreaming" and he said that was the first time performing that song. I can't wait until his new CD is released in October.

Here are a few photos of the concert.

Thanks for letting me share my excitement!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy



Friday, September 24, 2010

Halloween Wall Hangings

Today, I'm posting three more projects similar to the ones I posted Tuesday. These are Halloween themed. I really like the Happy Hauntings cartridge. Lots of fun Halloween phrases and shapes. And the layers of the shapes give more dimension to the shapes.

The base shape was cut using Lacy labels, using one layer of chipboard and cardstock (DCWV Halloween Stack and EK Success Halloween paper) to cover the front and back of the chipboard. All Halloween shapes were cut using Happy Hauntings.



Its a bit difficult to see in the photo, but I used Core'dinations glitter paper for the letters and the cat.




This one is cut the same way, except the BOO was cut using Wild Cards cartridge.



And the last one...another variation.



I've made a total of 8 of these wall hangings for the craft fair. If they sell, I'll make a few for the next show in November, but with a Christmas/winter theme.

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

And the Countdown Begins!

Less than two weeks until the first craft fair of the season! I can honestly say for the first time, I'm ready! The last few craft fairs we worked did not go well. Its difficult to determine what to bring and if it will sell. But we are going to give it a try and see how well it goes.

Here are a few seasonal decorations I made to sell.

The first one is with an autumn theme. I have seen decorations like this selling in the store, so I thought I'd try to make a few.

I used Lacy Labels for the shape, and cut it out of chipboard. I covered the chipboard with paper from DCWV's Rustic Stack on front and back of shape. I inked the edges of each panel.

I used several different cartridges for the fall themed shapes for each of the panels. Satin ribbon was used to attach the shapes together and for a hanging loop at the top.



Tree is from Stretch Your Imagination, Pumpkins are from Pooh and Friends, Acorns from B is for Boy, Leaves are from Mickey and Friends and Everyday Paperdolls and basket and apples are from Doodlecharms. I cut all the shapes from white paper - its a special paper I found at the art supply store that is for airbrushing. It worked beautifully for use with the Copic markers.

Here are some close ups of the panels.



This one is a little more specific for Thanksgiving. The word Grateful is from the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge, Pumpkin from Happy Hauntings, Leaves from Micky and Friends, Acorns from B is for Boy and Horn of Plenty is from Paper Dolls Dress Up.



Here are a few more close ups of the panels.

I also used the airbrush paper for these cut outs and colored the shapes with Copic markers.

I love Autumn and the colors but I try not to think of what comes soon after fall!

Hope you enjoyed your stay...and please, come back soon!

Have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Friday, September 17, 2010

Winter Frolic Christmas Card

Here is another Christmas Card made with Winter Frolic. I didn't think I would want this cartridge, but when I saw all the extras and the borders, I knew I had to get it.

This card is made at 5 x 7. I used Bazzill Glazed Holiday cardstock for the background. This paper is awesome! (they now make a non holiday version of this paper). The snow was cut out of Core'dinations Whitewash paper with blue, embossed with Sizzix Tim Holtz swirls embossing folder. Boy was cut at 3 3/4", greeting cut at 2 1/2".

I love the greetings with this cartridge also. They are multi layered and have a little swirl to them too. I highly recommend this cartridge for holiday cards and layouts.

Busy weekend coming up. My granddaughters are coming for a sleepover tonight and tomorrow I babysit the 7 month old twins tomorrow. I love spending time with my little sweeties!

Have fun this weekend! Thanks for stopping by.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Cuttlebug Card

Here's a quick and simple card I made using one of the newer Cuttlebug folders that cuts and embosses at the same time.

I used Core'dinations paper to run through the Cuttlebug, sanded it lightly for the images to come through. I punched the corners with a decorative corner punch by Fiskars. The layer below that is cut from gold vellum and the corners are also punched.

The background paper is from the Rustic stack from DCWV. Scalloped circles are cut with the Cricut. It covers a heart shape on the green layer, to give it a different look than the heart. The greeting is an acrylic stamp.


Hope you enjoyed today's feature.

Today I received a confirmation from Provo Craft that they will be shipping my Imagine in early October, and asked for my shipping address. If you remember, back in July I was fortunate to be invited to the Provo Craft Launch Party at the start of CHA. Everyone was awarded an Imagine (we got a certificate for it) Even though that happened in July, I still say "I can't believe it" when I think about it! I guess I'll believe it when it ships in October and its on my desk! I'm so excited for its arrival! And you can be sure I will post projects made with the Imagine.

Have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Sunday, September 12, 2010

School Bus Mini BOok

I would have to say one of my favorite projects to make is the mini book. I've made quite a few of them and I am on the Design Team for the Cricut Mini Albums blog. This week's theme was "Back To School".

I create this book using my Gypsy and the bus shape is from Doodlecharms. I welded a narrow rectangle to the left side of the bus shape to give it a straight edge for binding the book.



Each page is designated for grades PreSchool through 8th grade.

I used pockets as photo mats, so school information for that grade can be documented.




Many of the corners were made using border punches (there is a tutorial earlier on my blog)






I have several more mini books to post. I've been preparing for the upcoming craft fair October 2, and have a nice supply of mini books to sell.

Don't forget - Tuesday is the BIG DAY. HSN will be hosting the Launch of the new Cricut Imagine! At 12.00 AM September 13 EST (I am in the Midwest, so will be parked in front of the TV at 11:00 PM Monday night!) Its also going to be an all day Scrapbook supply event, showing not only the Imagine, but many new products and tools for us to make our creating more fun!

Have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Friday, September 10, 2010

First Christmas Card of the Season

I know, its a bit early, but I got this cartridge - Winter Frolic, and I had to make something with it. It has lots of cute images on it and it will be great for cards and decorations.


I made this card a 5 x 7 size. Image was cut at 3", greeting cut at 2 1/2" and border cut twice, at 1". Background paper is from last year's Christmas stack from K & Co.

Don't forget, only a few more days until the launch of the Cricut Imagine! At 11:01 PM Central Time, HSN will be showing the new Imagine. I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Toy Story Aliens

I recently got the Toy Story Cricut cartridge. I bought it because my daughter in law loves anything Toy Story and I told her I would decorate the twins' room with the characters.

When I got the cartridge, the first characters I cut out was the Aliens (Ryo's favorite). As with most Disney Cricut cartridges, the smaller the cut, the more difficult it is to assemble them. Its the little pieces that will cause problems.

I cut these aliens at 3" tall and the small pieces were not too difficult. I like to use adhesive backed cardstock and that makes it so much easier to assemble the pieces.

The greeting is cut using Wild Cards. I inked the background of the cardstock. On the inside of the card it says "Ooooooh!"


Hope you enjoyed today's feature. I had fun making this card and I just might save it for my daughter in law's birthday next month.

In the next week, there will be lots of excitement on the Cricut Messageboard and Circle Messageboard. On September 14 at 12:00 AM (11:00 pm on September 13 in Central time) Provo Craft and HSN will have the world launch of the Cricut Imagine. I will be watching to see this new product in action, but will have to wait patiently for my Imagine to arrive. I was one of the fortunate ones to get a certificate for an Imagine at the Provo Craft Launch party in July. Word is, it should arrive some time in October. In the mean time, I'll be watching all the videos and reading all the information and watching the HSN launch to learn all there is to know about the Imagine! By the time my Imagine arrives, I'll be able to operate it blindfolded!

Thank you for stopping by and hope you have a great day!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

First Project with Glass Etching

Its September already! Kids are back in school, there is a noticeable difference in the temperature and the days are getting shorter. I always considered September the calm before the "storm" of the holiday season.

I have a variety of projects to show, so I hope you'll be a frequent visitor!

Today's project is my first attempt at Glass Etching. I had made these glass blocks awhile ago, but used vinyl. I wasn't completely pleased with it, and wanted to try etching (as long as the vinyl was already on the glass block). The one thing gave me pause was how caustic the etching cream is. But I decided to jump in.

I used the Cricut Cartridge New Arrival for the Moon and Jasmine for Sweet Dreams. Here is the final result. I added a light and a stand.

All supplies - glass block, stand, bulb light with thumbwheel switch, etching cream and vinyl were purchased at Hobby Lobby.

I gave it to my son and his wife for the twins' nursery.

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy