New challenge at Exploring Cricut

Today at Exploring Cricut we are having a challenge and are inviting you all to join in.  This is the last challenge of 2012 and what better way but to welcome in 2013!  Make a card, layout, or papercraft to help bring in the New Year.  Link your project by Saturday, Jan 5 to be entered for the prize.  I made a card using the cartridge Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art.  I love this cartridge because it has so many neat images and I am not using them on cakes!!  Below the pictures are the cut measurements and supplies.  Can't wait to see what you create!

Martha Stewart Cake Art-confetti cut at 1.5 inches
                                        Happy New Year cut at 3.5 inches
                                        2013 cut at 1 inches
Supplies-cardstock in gold, silver, and white   Michaels
               silver stickles

Cricut Fanatics Project

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!  I know I did, but am anxious to get back to crafting and blogging.  Today I have the project at Cricut Fanatics and it is also my birthday!  Turning 60 is a jolt to the old soul when the mind is still young as a kid, but at least it is better than the alternative lol.  Today my project is a Christmas but never to early to start on next year!  I got an old frame at the Good Will dirt cheap and tried painting it but it still looked horrible so I decided to modge podge it with paper.  I used the negative of the design and love how it turned out.  Below the pictures are the cuts and cartridges I used for this project.  Be sure to stop by the Cricut Fanatics blog for a daily project and come back here this week for more now my room is clean!!!!

Thrift store frame......totally ugly and I used the back of the picture to mount my design too.  Worked great!

Cartridges Used:        Teresa CollinsChristmas Collage Digital- design cut at 9.75 inches used negative
                                  Martha Stewart Birthday Cakes- page 56 Christmas 3 border cut in gypsy
                                  11.5 x 2.25
                                 Winter Woodland-poinsettias cut at 3 inches
Materials:                  Pattern music paper from Hobby Lobby, cardstock by Bazzill and ribbon in stash.

Tuesday Project at Exploring Cricut

Welcome !  I have the daily project at Exploring Cricut today and I have a couple little Princess granddaughters and decided to make tags to go with the  paper I found to wrap their Christmas packages.  I only did 4 different designs and used the cartridges Disney Happily Ever After and Dreams Come True.  I just did the bust so that I could write on them as a tag. I cut all these at 5.5 inches. Since they were larger, it was easier to do. I just tied a ribbon instead of doing bows since they will tear through them fast anyway and added some large brads from Hobby Lobby and a flower from my stash.

Exploring Cricut New Challenge

Its been a while since I have posted.  Been busy with Christmas shopping, making things for my granddaughters bazaar and a freak accident with my foot.  Lets just say if your foots asleep, just roll over and go back to sleep till you both wake up! lol  Today we have a new challenge at Exploring Cricut.  You are to make a card, layout or papercraft of your favorite Christmas activity, trip, traditions, or favorite memory or anything connected with the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year".  Link your post by Saturday, December 22.  I made a two page layout using the cartridges A Quilted Christmas, Paper Doll Dress Up, and Teresa Collins December 25.  Below are the details and materials.  I can't wait to see what you create!

Materials:     Pattern Paper Simple Stories Handmade Holiday
                    Cardstock American Crafts
                    Stickles
Cartridges    A Quilted Christmas-page 76 package border cut at 2..25 inches
                                                    page 32 Santa3 cut at 4.5 inches
                    Paper Doll Dress Up-page 73  Acessories 3 Tree cut at 5.5 inches
                    Teresa Collins Dec. 25-Dec. 25 cut at 4 inches
                                                        Snowflake swirls cut at 2 inches

Tuesday Daily Project at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to the daily project over at Exploring Cricut. Today I am sharing some Christmas tags I made for my granddaughters school bazaar that is this week.  I made several cards, scrapbook pages and other items.  I love making tags for my packages to go along with the paper.  Right now I am working on some Princess tags for my two granddaughters presents.  For these tags I used the cartridgtes Baby Shower, Jolly Holidays, Holiday Tags digital, Art Philosophy, George and Very Merry Tags.  Below I have detailed the cuts and materials.  Be sure to stop by Exploring Cricut daily for a new project and be sure to enter our Christmas Card Challenge this week!!!!

 I used Art Philosophy for this tag and cut the stocking at 5.5 inches.  The paper was from scraps I had.

 This tag was cut from Baby Shower and the two base layers cut at 4 and 4.5 inches.  The mittens were cut from Jolly Holidays at 2.25 inches.  Cardstock was Recollections and white pen was used.

 The poinsettia tag is from the Holiday Tags digital and is cut in all layers at 3 inches.  Cardstock is from Recollections, and the top of the flower was popped.

 This cute little snow flake tag is cut from Very Merry Tags at 5 inches and the circle for the face was from George cut at 1.5 inches and stamped with a Peachy Keen stamp.  I also popped the head up and the jewels are from Recollections as is the cardstock.

This last tag is from the digital Holiday Tags.  It is cut at 3 inches.  Cardstock is Recollections and the to and from stamp is something I put together from an old Studio G set.  Because I use it for tags, I have glued it to a small block so it will stay together.

Exploring Cricut Christmas Card Blog Hop

Welcome to the Exploring Cricut Christmas Card Blog Hop.  If you have come from Michelle's, then you have come to the last stop.  We hope that you found lots of inspiration along the way and if you missed any, I have a list at the bottom and you can start again or go back to the Exploring Cricut page.  For this hop I created a couple cards.  I have been busy making things for my granddaughters school and thought I would throw in some cards too!  For my cards, I used the cartridges Sesame Street Seasons, Winter Woodland, CTMH Art Philosophy and Teresa Collins December 25.  Below the pictures are the cuts and materials.  I hope you join us for the challenge this week too!  Create your own card and link by Saturday.

 Cartridges Used: Sesame Street Seasons-snowflake cut at 1 inch and 3.5 inches
                            Winter Woodland-joy cut at 1.5 inches
                            CTMH Art Philosophy-tag cut at 1.5 inches page 35 rectangle5
Stamps:                 Hambo and Stampendous
Card is 5 x 7 and used Snowflake cuttlebug to emboss
Cardstock:          Recollections
Pearls:                 Kaiser Crafts

This card is 5 x 7 and colors are gold, navy, and white
Cartridges :  Teresa Collins December 25-nativity cut at 4.75 inches
Stamps:        Studio G and CTMH
Cardstock:   Recollections

Blog Hop List

Diana Boucher http://craftypeepdb.blogspot.com

Sharon Swafford http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com

Lori Ulrich http://scrappinsaints.blogspot.com

Jessica Wilson http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Georgiana Carson http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com

Kim Wylie http://littleredshood.blogspot.com

Emily Evertz http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com

Annette Robertson http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com

Ian Dreger http://anewbiecrafter.blogspot.com

Michelle Pottie http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com

Diane Kielman http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com

Welcome to my Cricut FANatics project

Welcome!  Today I have a project over at Cricut FANatics blog.  I created this 2 page layout that I can use with pictures of decorating our house.  I used the cartridges Holiday Cakes and Teresa Collins December 25.  I love the new cartridge and can see several new projects coming with it.  Below the pictures are the details and materials I used for this layout.  Be sure to visit the blog for daily projects and remember to stop by my other blog at Exploring Cricut for a daily project too!

Created by :  Diane Kielman
Machines Used:  Expressions 2 and Gypsy
Cartridges and Cuts:  Teresa Collins Dec. 25-Title cut at 2.75 inches
                                                                     Holly frame cut at 5.5 inchs
                                                                     Holly cut at 2 inches
                                 Holiday Cakes-ornaments cut at 3.5 inches
Pattern paper: Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas collection  (ask me about ordering)
Cardstock:      Recollections and American Crafts
Stickles and ribbon from stash
Punch used for border was EK Success

Daily Project at Exploring Cricut

Today I am sharing the Tuesday daily project at Exploring Cricut.  I made this card for my son and daughter-in-laws 12 th Anniversary that was over the weekend.  I used a sketch that was in the CTMH Make It From the Heart Volume 1 booklet. I used the cartridges Art Philosophy and Ribbon and Rosettes.   Below the picture is all the details.

Created by:                Diane
Machines used:          Expressions 2 and Gypsy
Cartridges:                CTMH Art Philosophy-Pennant cut at 1.5 x 4 inches
                                                                        Pennant cut at 1.25 x 3.50 inches
                                                                        Pennant cut at 1.00 x 3 inches
                                 Ribbon and Rosettes  - Rosette cut at 1.75 inches 2 pieces
Materials:                  Pattern Paper-CTMH
                                 Cardstock-CTMH
                                Jewels-Prima
                               
Card is 5 x 7                                                                   

New Challenge at Exploring Cricut today!

Today we have a new challenge starting at Exploring Cricut.  It is called "Count Your Blessings" and you are to create a card, layout, or papercraft celebrating Thanksgiving.  You can make any colors but it must include cuts from your Cricut.  Enter your project on the blog by Saturday, Nov. 24.  For my project, I took a charger plate and decorated it using the cartridges Thanksgiving, Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art and Quarter Note.  Below the picture is my directions and supplies for the project.  We can't wait to see what you create, so get busy and enter!!!!

Project by:  Diane Kielman
Machine:     Cricut Expressions 2 and Gypsy
Cartridges:  Thanksgiving-corn cut at 5 inches
                                       wheat cut at 4.5 inches
                                        turkey cut at 5.5 inches
                   Martha Stewart Seasonal Cake Art-leaf border shadow and top cut at 1.75 inches and cut the
                                           leaves off and reversed one section
                   Quarter Note-Font 1 Harvest Blessings cut at 1.75 inches
Paper:        Cardstock Bazzill
Charger:     Michael's

Exploring Cricut Daily Project

Welcome to another daily project at Exploring Cricut.  I am filling in for my friend Jessica today with a two page layout using the cartridges Sesame Street Font, A Child's Year, Life's a Beach and H2O.  I still have several summer photos to scrap and made this for my granddaughters scrapbook.  The page layout design is from Scrapbook Generations scrapbook club and I added my cricut cut.  Below the picture is my details.

Sketch Design-Scrapbook Generation
Pattern Papers-Pebbles Inc
Cartridges-Sesame Street Font-title cut at 1.5 inches Black Board Font
                 A Child's Year-bathing suit cut at 3 inches
                 Life's a Beach-beach ball cut at 2 inches
                 H2O- float cut at 2.5 inches
                           Boy cut at 4.5 inches
                           Pool cut at 3.5 inches

Tuesday Daily Project at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to another daily project at Exploring Cricut!  Today I created a two page layout using the cartridges Cricut Craft Room Basics, Pop Up Neighborhood, Paper Dolls for Everyday, A Child's Year, Handy Man, and Simply Charmed.  Hope you enjoy!

Machines-Cricut Expression 2 and Gypsy
Cartridges and Cuts-Cricut Craft Room Basics-title cut at 1.75 inches
                                  Pop Up Neighborhood-tree with swing cut at 5.5 inches
                                 Paper Dolls for Everyday-leaves cut at 1.5 and 3 inches grass cut 1.25 inch
                                 A Child's Year-bike cut 2 inch
                                Handy Man-wheel barrel cut at 2.25 inches
                                Simply Charmed-pumpkins cut at 1.25 inches
Supplies- Pattern Paper- Simple Stories (email me if interested)
                Cardstock-Recollections
                Uniball white pen
                Colorbox chalks

                                                                       

Exploring Cricut Challenge

Welcome to another challenge at Exploring Cricut.  This challenge is called "Veterans Day"  You are to created a card, layout or papercraft honoring the brave men and women who have served or are serving our great country.  Please submit your challenge by Saturday, November 10 by 10 pm eastern time.  I decided on a card for this challenge using the cartridge Stand and Salute.  I like this one because it includes so many things military and has perfect images to honor our soldiers.  Below my picture is the measurements and cuts I used along with materials.  Please enter this great challenge!

Machines-Cricut Expression 2 and Gypsy
Cartridge-Stand and Salute
Cuts-Honor page 65 shadow and base cut at 1 inch
        Shooting star page 34 shadow and base cut at 3 inches
Materials-pattern paper-Reminisce
               cardstock-Recollections
               stickles-Ranger

My Project for Cricut Fanatics

Welcome to my project for the Cricut Fanatics.  I created these easy treat bags for my granddaughters Montessori class using the cartridges Pumpkin Carvings and Frankensteins Face digital.  Since I had to make 30 bags, I bought the little bags instead of make them.  These turned out really cute.  Below the picture is what cuts and materials I used.

Frankenstein Face Digital- face cut at 1.5 inches
Pumpkin Carvings-faces cut at 4 inches.  I used the Gypsy and removed the outside line around them.
Bags from Michaels
Ribbon in stash

Tuesday Daily Project at Exploring Cricut

Today I have the daily project at Exploring Cricut and I created a layout using the cartridges Moveable Monsters digital, Plantin Schoolbook, Happy Hauntings, Spongebob, and Everyday Paper Dolls.  Below the picture are my measurements and materials.  Be sure to enter our challenge this week too!  Get your best Halloween project ready and enter today!

Moveable Monsters Digital-witch cut at 5 inches
                                           cauldron cut at 5 inches
Plantin Schoolbook-Roly Poly Font cut at 1 inch
Happy Hauntings-Spooky Font cut at 1.5 inch
Spongebob-bubbles cut at 2 inches
Everyday Paper Dolls-bubbles cut at 2.75 inches
Pattern paper from Target Dollar bin last year
cardstock Michaels
stickles

Exploring Cricut Halloween Challenge

I have been a little MIA lately, but I have been working on several project some of which you will see this week and I am also working on some things for my husbands office for the holidays. The Exploring Cricut  challenge is "Happy Halloween" and you are to created any card, layout or papercraft celebrating this fun Halloween season.  Today, I have created a cute gift bag using the cartridges Sesame St. Elmo's Party, October 31, and HappyHauntings.  I used Recollections Halloween Paper and cardstock.   Below are my measurements.

Elmo's Party-title cut at 1.25 and 1.50 inches
October 31- Haunted House cut at 5.5 inches and I also cut another one and hid the inside so it would show lights
Happy Hauntings-ghost cut at 1.25 inches
Stickles

Welcome to the Monster Mash Blog Hop, brought to you by the design teams of Made Especially For You and Exploring Cricut!

Today the design teams of Made Especially For You and Exploring Cricut have teamed up to share with you all sorts of spooktacular monster-themed projects to help get your crafty gears turning for all those upcoming Halloween projects!

If you've come from Ashley's blog http://.especiallymade.blogspot.com

 you're in the right place! If you just came across the hop and would like to start at the beginning, please visit Ashley at Made Especially For You.

For my project, I created a two page layout using the cartridges Happy Hauntings, Mini Monsters and Paper Doll Dress Up and Camp Out.  Here is a materials and sizes I used to cut my project.

Happy Hauntings-title cut at 1.5 inches Spooky Font

                               witch cut at 3 inches

                               haunted house at 5 inches

                               grass cut ayt 2.25 and 3.25 inches

                               graveyard cut at 2.25 inches

                               ghost cut at 1.5 inches

                               mummy at 3.5 inches

Mini Monsters-all monsters cut at 2.5 inches

                         tree cut at 5 inches

                         do not enter sign cut at 4.5 inches

Paper Doll Dress Up-road cut at 1.5 inches and welded 3 together

                                   bats cut at 3 inches

Camp Out-Full moon cut at 4 inches

Pattern Paper-Bo Bunny, Recollections cardstock and stickles

We also have some wonderful sponsors giving away prizes to those who comment on every stop of the hop!

Paper Piecings by Nikki
$15 Gift Certificate

Saturated Canary

$15 Gift Certificate

Memory Works

$10 Gift Certificate

The winners of the blog candy will be announced on Made Especially For You on Tuesday October 16th. Please make sure to leave your contact information when commenting to be eligible to win!

Your next stop is Jessica's blog at http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

  Here's the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com

Diane - http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com

Jessica - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Ian - http://anewbiecrafter.blogspot.com

Laura - http://scrappinaroundtheclock.blogspot.ca

Sharon - http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com

Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com

Lori - http://scrappinsaints.blogspot.com

Robin - http://www.thecricutscrapper.blogspot.com

Georgiana - http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com

Cyndy - http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com

Emily - http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com

Kristy - http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com

Diana - http://craftypeepdb.blogspot.com

Eileen - http://scrappingactuary.blogspot.com

Kim - http://littleredshood.blogspot.com

Annette - http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com

Michelle - http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com

Happy Hopping!

Happy Birthday Exploring Cricut

One year ago today, I started the Exploring Cricut blog.  I have enjoyed so much meeting all the talented crafters via our blog.  Please be sure to check out todays post so you can see the Birthday gift I will be giving this week along with a prize for the challenge!  I created a card today for my daily project.  I used the cartridges Cake Basics and Birthday Cakes.  I ran the base piece through the Cuttlebug and did a little sewing with my Janome Mini.  I cut the Cupcake at 3 inches from Cake Basics and the balloons were cut at 3 inches from Birthday Cakes.  I used some scraps of paper and cardstock, a stamp I had on my shelf with no name, and odd and ends pearls and jewels.  Fun and easy!

Exploring Cricut Challenge

Today we have a great challenge at Exploring Cricut.  You are to create a card, layout, or papercraft making a Breast Challenge Awareness project.  This is a terrible disease and it is wonderful for the fighters to have the support from family and friends.  I hope everyone will join this challenge and send your card or project to a friend or a special group. I used the cartridges Stand and Salute, Quarter Note, and Art Philosophy.  Below is the details of my card

Quarter Note-Title cut at 2 inches Font 1
Stand and Salute-ribbon cut at 2 inches and 2.25 inches
Art Philosophy-tag cut at 3 inches

Pattern paper-Chatterbox
Cardstock-Recollections
Pearls-Recollections
Flowers-Recollections

Wednesday Daily Project Exploring Cricut

Welcome to another daily project at Exploring Cricut.  Today I am sharing some cute little refrigerator magnets I made for my little granddaughter.  She loves magnets and I thought she would love some monsters since Halloween will be coming soon!  I used the cartridges Mini Monsters and Bump in the Night.  Below the pictures are the cuts and measurements. 

Mini Monsters-Gross cut at 4.5 inches
                        It's Alive cut at 4.5 inches
                        Lil Pumpkin cut at 4.5 inches
Bump In the Night-Mslt cut at 5 inches
                             Skiltz cut at 5 inches

Cardstock from Bazzill
Stickles
Wiggly eyes
Stamps from Peachy Keen

Cricut FANatics daily post

Today I have the daily post at Cricut FANatics.  If you have not visited our site, please stop by because we have something wonderful to share with you everyday.  I have created a two page layout to share with you.  Summer may be over but the summer memories still linger on.  I am working on my grandson Cameron's album and did these pages for a trip we took to Coney Island.  I used the cartridges Carousel and Summer Celebrations.

 I love the bright colorls that this Stampin Up Paper has and it was perfect for these pictures!

I cut my title from Carousel using the shadow feature for the letters cut at 1.25 inches.  I decided not to use the top part of the letters since I was cutting it smaller.  I used my Scrap n' Easel to line up the letters.

 Since I did not use the top part of the letters, I took my Uniball white pen and added some markings.

 I cut the Ferris Wheel from Carousel at 5 inches shadow and base, but cut 4 different colors gray, white, teal, and red.  I added the gray on top of my black base and cut out different color cars from the other pieces and then colored the gray with silver stickles.

The roller coaster is cut from Summer Celebrations at 4.5 inches.  I cut several layers and cut to fit so different colors will be shown.  In the final one on the page, I stickled the gray area in silver.  I also cut a ticket booth from Carousel at 5.75 inches and a bumper car at 3 inches.  I used the ticket booth for a journaling box. I am very pleased with the pages.

Tuesday Daily Project at Exploring Cricut

Today I have the Tuesday daily project at Exploring Cricut.  I just got a  new cartridge  and wanted to make a card with it.  This was very quick and simple.  I used the cartridges Frame of Mind, Winter Woodland, and Sesame Street Seasons.  I cut the base of the card 5 x7 and the pattern paper is some scraps I had in my Christmas paper stash and I cut it 4.75 x 6.75.  I cut the lace frame from Frame of Mind at 4.75 inches.  The poinsettia is from Winter Woodland at 2.5 inches and I cut an extra flower to give it more dimension as I popped it with a pop dot.  The title is from Sesame Street Seasons cut at 1.50 inches.  You can create this quickly and would be a great card for your holiday sending. For the inside I just added some scraps of the paper and stamped a verse.  I can't wait to try another frame!

Exploring Cricut Challenge

Welcome to another Exploring Cricut challenge.  This week the challenge is called "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles"  You are to create a card, layout, or papercraft of any theme and colors as long as it contains some method of transporation.  I used the cartridges Dude, Going Places, Camp Out, Indie Art, and Gypsy Font.  Be sure to link your project by Saturday, September 29.  Below the picture are the measurements and supplies I used.

Dude-ATV cut at 5 inches
Going Places-ATV cut at 4 inches
Camp Out-Tire Track cut at 4.5 inches
Indie Art-Fire cut at 1.5 inches
Gypsy Font-title cut at 2 inches
Pattern Paper-Bo Bunny
Cardstock-Bazzill
Stickles

New Artiste Cartridge

I received the new Close to my Heart Artiste cartridge in the mail on Friday and couldn't wait to try it out. I had company over the weekend so I finally got to try it yesterday. I created a purse and 4 3 x 3 note cards and envelopes to go in it. I still want to add a flower, but decided to go ahead and get it posted. Below is how I created this.
The cards were created by using the card feature on page 31 and I customed in the Gypsy the size 3 x 6 and folded in half. The envelopes were the same button only on the shift. I customed them 7 x 3 to fit the card. To embellish the cards , card 1 on page 35 I cut accent 4 shift button (4) at .75 inches. I then trimmed them to fit in a smaller size as they went on the page. I added a ribbon, flowers, sparkle gems, and stamped Thinking of you from the Fringed Phrase stamps.
Card 2 I cut the accent 4 on page 56 at 2.5 inches and cut a 1.5 inch circle with a punch. I also cut a accent 4 shift on page 32 corners at 1 inch .I also stamped it with the Fringed Phrase stamps. Card 3 I cut the accent1 button on page 31 cut at 2.25 inches and 1.5 circle inside cut with punch. I added ribbon and stamped it Congrats from one of the sets of stamps that came with the cartridge. Card 4 page 33 accent 1 shift button cut at 1 inch and the border on page 31 accent 1 shift button cut at 1 inch and trimmed to fit card. I also stamped it with a thank you stamp in my stash.

The holder for these cards was on page 31 3 d object button cut in gypsy at 7.89 x 3.35 inches. I just cut some of the pattern paper to decorate the front and back and cut another border from page 31 accent 1 shift button at 1 inch. I punched holes in the top and added a ribbon to complete the look. I want to add a flower from the cartridge to finish off the look and the cards and envelopes fit nicely inside for a beautiful gift.