Merry Christmas!

Already your saying? Well yes if you want your wrapping to look like this come December 25th!

I was unaware that something so simple would take so much time.....but it's worth it in the end right? LOL

This would have been so much faster and easier in design studio or on a gypsy.....

I hope Santa brings me a GYPSY this year for Christmas...or I may bring myself one...they are only $100.00 bucks at Michael's on Black Friday!! *crosses my fingers and toes*

Supplies needed:

Red Wrapping Paper
Black Cardstock
Silver Cardstock
Adhesive

I cut the buttons from Plantain Schoolbook at 1 inch.
The scallop was cut from Plantain Schoolbook at 8 inches on length to fit.
The Belt Buckle was cut from Paper Doll Dress Up at 2 inches (REAL DIAL SIZE MUST BE USED) and 1.5 inches.

Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays!

Mike

fall crafting

Today was a very fun filled craft day. I was able to work on some more of my apple cider sliders for co-workers and crochet this spooktacular owl.

Hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather and crafting the nights and days away.

CuCu

Apple Cider Slider Card

Here is a quick slider card I made using the wild card cartridge. I made this for the recent Pink Stamper challenge. The challenge was to make something for someone else. I plan on giving this as a Halloween treat to a co-worker.

Thanks for looking!


Mike

wedding card

Wow! It feels like forever since I posted something. Ok maybe it HAS been forever lol but hopefully in the next few weeks I will have some fun and exciting projects to share with you all.

Just wanted to showcase a quick card I made for my friend's wedding this past weekend.  The wedding was a lot of fun and the bride really loved her card. She said she recieved a lot of cards that looked the same and this one was very special. That is the number one reason I like to make a handmade gift or card, nobody else will ever have the same thing :)

Hope everyone is doing well and happy crafting!


CuCu

CRICUT IMAGINE DAY~!

Wow! Robyn did a great job on her USTREAM brodcast. Thanks for sharing!

Even though I don't plan on purchasing tonight I do plan on watching at midnight on hsn! However, I was even more excited to see that HSN is having their 24 hour craft day with Martha Stewart Halloween and TIM HOLTZ!!!!


What an exciting time to be a crafter...
Happy viewing and shopping!

Mike CuCu

Eye Miss U

So after my brief brush with Christmas I am back into full on Halloween mood. The cool air and the rainy weather are helping that tremendously! ( I will act like I did not see that it will be back in the 90's next week)

This was a fun card I made using the October 31st cart and some Martha Stewart punches and stamps. I love me some Ms. Stewart. I added some bling to make the eyes sparkle!

I bought the great eyeball paper at this new scrapbook and jewelry store opening downtown!  I am lucky enough to have a Joann in my town as well, but I think I will try and go there as often as possible. I may pay a bit more, but it is worth it to buy from  from people who share your passion and enthusiasm. I wish Sherre the best of luck in her new shop and a successful opening this weekend!



Thanks for looking,

Mike.

My Pink Stamper Winter Challenge

Here is a card I made tonight for another great challenge by Robin.

The Embossing folder is  Dearly by BasicGrey for Sizzix.
Cream Colored Cardstock (was a scrap I had lying around)
Glitter Glue is Martha Stewart.
Silver Sharpie.
Yellow Sharpie

Thanks for looking,

Mike.

Spider Luminary

Here is a quick spider luminary I made tonight. I tried cutting the paper bag on the cricut itself but after it got crumpled in my machine I just said forget it! lol


This is one of my favorite projects to date. So simple and versatile.  The possibilities are endless with any cut you make. :)

Supplies:
Cut the spider from October 31st at 3.5 inches.
Used a punch around the top of lunch bag.
Glued spider inside lunch bag.
Added a candle, lit it and enjoyed.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

Etched Halloween Goblets

This was a super fun and surprisingly easy project to do.

Supplies needed:
Glasses
Vinyl 
Masking Tape
Etching Cream I highly recommend Armour Etch Cream.
Ribbon

I cut the phrases using Happy Hauntings. Applied to glass. Poured etch cream on. Waited 8 minutes. Rinsed Cream off and TAH-DAH.



This was my first time using vinyl with my cricut. I lucked out and bought the cricut vinyl at Joann on clearance. The color didn't matter since I planned on using it to etch. It worked perfectly.



Thanks for looking.

Mike

3d Halloween Container

I am finding with these 3d objects that they take a lot more time than I think they will.

First one was a total disaster trying to figure out the scoring and folding.

Here is the second one I attempted with some pictures to hopefully aid you.

Think of folding the box in:

I did fit to page on this and the size it cut was 11.5 inches.

Completed Size is about 4.5 inches.

The biggest issue that I am having is in the design of these objects is that they seem to go together with the weakest parts of the paper. Does that make sense? Well for example, on this box, the hand is supposed to slide into the slot on the top of the box. Seems simple enough until you try and put the fragile fingers through. Maybe I just don't have the light touch necessary or I am using the wrong kind of paper. I used Die Cuts With a View : shimmer stack which was pretty thick in my opinion and even lined the inside of the box. The hand still crumpled up and wasn't as neat. (Does anyone have any suggestions for thicker/stronger cardstock that doesn't have layers separate??!)

I just said forget it and cut the slot off. I needed to cut the top of it a bit anyway because I wanted it to hold a Bath and Body Works "candy corn" scented PocketBac. It just barely fit!

It smells so yummy!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View: Shimmer Stack Orange
Paper: Orange Polka- Dot. Sorry I forget brand but I am sure any fun paper will do :)
Zig Two Way Glue Pen
Therm O Web Super Tape 1/4"
Sticker: G Studio Halloween Bubbles. Check in Joann Fabrics Dollar Scrap Section.


Tips and Tricks: 
You will need to score this in many places. 
Highly recommend Therm O Web Double Sided Super Tape for any box construction.


Thanks for looking.

Mike.

Defy Gravity!

I was feeling a tad wicked and decided to make this quick card tonight.

 Colors are a bit muted in photo. Will work on that for next time.

All paper is die cuts with a view.

Satin Ribbon from Dollar Tree

Rub On Letters American Crafts Mini Marks "Ned Jr"

Jeweled Brad: Recollections from Michaels

Thanks for looking! :)

Mike

Bachelorette Card

This is a quick card I made for my friend's bachelorette party on Friday. The theme is "little black dress" and while I didn't have a black dress on any carts that I own,  I did have this high heel from the Sweethearts Cartridge! Overall, I am pleased. I would have liked to add a bit more bling. Always next time.

Thanks for looking,

Mike.

{products used}

Cardstock: DCWV

Ribbon: Dollar Spot at Target
Punch: Martha Stewart Mini Ribbon Threader

Rub-on: Making Memories Sabrina

ATG GUN ARRIVED

Wow I ordered my ATG gun from Custom Crops back in June and it finally arrived today. I guess this means I should start another project soon!


I am not so keen on the color but can overlook that because The Pink Stamper showed me that it can be spray painted and the price couldn't be beat!

Happy Hauntings 3d Haunted House

Ok I had a lot of issues with this one....t ..the pages to make this house were missing! So after downloading it online and spending the entire night on it...it's finally done!!!



was it worth it? I think so..lol..

There are some issues I have with the design of this house...some of the angles are off..

The biggest you can cut this house at on a 12x12 mat is 7 inches. (perhaps bigger in Design Studio?) It would be so much easier to assemble if it was bigger. Plus I wanted to get inside it when it was done! :P

Any smaller and I think I would have drove myself batty....

Make sure you use HIGH quality aka THICK cardstock.. I used DCWV and it did ok for the most part.

A zig two way glue pen is a must!

This takes some time..maybe about 3+ hours. ( I wanted to make these as invites! NOT NOW lol )

Overall I would attempt it again ...lol..but not for awhile

I will write more about it later but now I have to get to bed because I have to get up for work in 4.5 hours!

what a letdown

The new Cricut Imagine in theory sounds great. The ability to cut and print at the same time, what could could be better right?

However, They seem to be holding strong to that $600.00 price tag(for now). Special HP INK. Special Cartridges. The biggest let down of them all, no computer hookup which means no sure cuts a lot which means a waste. Does this even let you use design studio since the press release made it sound like you needed the gypsy? Unless you're a professional or own a store, this just seems like a huge investment. The cricut expression and carts are expensive enough!



I am however not opposed to people buying me one or giving me one lol... then I can justify the other stuff ;)

For now, I'm saving my money and keeping the expression!

Obsessed!

When I find something that I really like to do I usually become obsessed with it until the fun factor wears off lol


My current obsession is amigurumi. I am learning as much as I can as quickly as I can.

Here is a great book Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet to help you get started.

This is a great website to show you how to color change which I had no idea how to do! Color Change Crochet

Projects done in the last two days.  They stitch up quick!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

my first attempt at amigurumi

Not bad. Considering I just started crocheting like a month ago. LOL

Throwback Thursday Challenge

Rules:
Must use "WILD CARD" Cartridge OR any older cartridge you may own OR if you JUST started collecting your carts, just use what you have!

**** This week IS A "HOLIDAY" theme! Make a "CARD" w/your FAVORITE HOLIDAY!

****Must be an ORIGINAL project made especially for THIS challenge

****ONE entry Per Person Please.

 

 In case your haven't noticed my favorite holiday is HALLOWEEN!

I wanted to make a card that didn't scream Halloween but one that was just a scream! The wild card cart *quickly becoming a favorite* has a great monster card that I thought would work perfectly for this challenge. I didn't want the colors to scream Halloween either so went with a more "punk" rocker glam Halloween color scheme. Hope you enjoy.

Halloween In July and Gift Packaging

This month will feature tons of (well as much as I can finish) Halloween projects. Why should Christmas get all the attention?



I made a big batch of Monster Cookies tonight. My friend Jeff is a huge cookie monster so I decided to make a quick gift package for him.

 Frankie was cut at 3 inches from Paper Doll Dress Up.
The Glitter Ribbon is from Michaels Celebration Line.
The chain used around the ribbon is from October 31st. I believe it was cut at 3 inches.

Here is a link to the Monster Cookie Recipe I used. They were so delicious!

Thanks for stopping by.


Mike

chain of fools layout

The storm outside puts me right in the mood for Halloween!

I will be watching the stores like a Raven for the Happy Hauntings Cartridge

MARTHA, HALLOWEEN and Cricut OH MY!

Words can't even begin to describe how excited I am for these new releases!

*breaks open piggy bank*

I can not wait to make that 3d house!!!

Charming Layout

Bats are cut from October 31st.
Sentiment embossed with Cuttlebug Skeleton Scroll Folder.
Damask paper from Recollections at Michaels.

Frightfully Delightfull

Nothing reminds me more of Halloween than the smell of a burning candle in a pumpkin.

Really like how the flame looks after inking it.