Swap ATCs

I recently joined a new group on Facebook that does some different swaps. One of the ladies Linda is hosting her first swap. It's an ATC swap. I've made 2 ATCs in the past so I thought this would be a good way to jump into the group. I'm just sharing what I created.

I had fun making these and I just love that bugs head cut.

Thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment if you like. 

I hope I've inspired you today!

SEPTEMBER EDITION OF A HOMESPUN AFFAIR

Today is the release of

A HOMESPUN AFFAIR

September Edition

This month in Kidz Korner I share with you a fun and easy way to upcycle baskets from my favorite summer treat. Strawberries!

If you haven't already, visit A  HOMESPUN  AFFAIR and check out everything we have in store for you. Fun projects, tutorials, loads of inspiration, challenges, giveaways and more.

Designs on Cloud 9

Happy Friday Krafty Friends!

Today I'm sharing with you a home decor project I made for one of A Homespun Affairs Augusts sponsors,  Design on Cloud 9. They have adorable cutting files in several formats and there is a weekly freebie you'll want to try too.

Here's a sneak peek, but I'd love it if you checked out the full project at  A Homespun Affair and let me know what you think. 

Supplies used:
Design on Cloud 9 Cutting File ~ "Just Add Water"
Recollections Cardstock
Muddpuddles Sand ~ Malibu Beach
Prima Flowers
Queen and Co. Pearls
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist ~ Pearl
VersaColor Ink Pads
Seashell

Thanks to our sponsor Design on Cloud 9 for the cutting file. I enjoyed creating with it!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I've inspired you today!

Teachers Gift - Post-It Note Holder Tutorial

  AUGUST EDITION OF A HOMESPUN AFFAIR

Today is the release of

A HOMESPUN AFFAIR

August Edition

This month on Kidz Korner I bring to you a quick and easy Post-it Note holder

 "Back 2 School" gift. I know our teachers are overworked and underpaid so why not

show that we appreciate them? What better way than a handmade gift from your little student?

For this project you will need:

An acrylic 4x6 frame

3"x3" Post It Notes

Patterned paper

Coordinating embellishments

A paper trimmer or safety scissors

Double stick tape

Adhesive (the type will depend on the embellishments)

Using a paper trimmer cut the patterned paper at 4"x6". 

Slide it into the frame. 

Using double stick tape, adhere the Post It Notes to the frame. 

Now comes the fun part! Embellish the the frame using stickers, ribbon, etc. Let your childs imagination run wild. 

Give to the teacher to enjoy!

Helpful hints:

If you don't have a paper trimmer you can use the frame paper insert as a template to cut your patterned paper using safety scissors. 

You can find the acrylic frames at a dollar store or WalMart for $1.

Dollar stores carry multi-packs of Post It Notes.

The Post It Note holders can be made in any theme for a quick and useful gift.

 So stop by  A HOMESPUN AFFAIR and check out everything we have in store for you. 

                            Tutorials, loads of inspiration, challenges, giveaways and more.

I linked up to Craft Lightning Week

End of the school year thank you gifts

I know it's a little late but these were meant to be for a blog hop that I didn't end up participating in, so now I can show them off.

My youngest son is Autistic and he is in a classroom with 9 other Autistic students. The teacher and aides are  awesome and work wonders with these kids. They put up with a lot too. I could never do it, one is plenty for me. lol I like to show our appreciation at the holidays and the end of the school year with a little something for each of them. This year I made these cards and put a Starbucks gift card in each one. They were really fun to make and pretty easy too. I cut the coffee cup from Cricuts "Love You Latte" cartridge. 

The inspiration for the card as well as the background came from  eighteen 25. You can find it here if you're interested in making your own. It's a free download. =)

I wasn't sure my sons bus driver was a Starbucks lover so I made him this School Bus card with a gift card to 7-11 tucked inside. He is so awesome and takes great care of my son, we had to show him some love as well. The cutting file is from Creative Kuts. It was a freebie that was actually a mini album cover that I turned into a card. If you love cute cutting files, check them out!

 Thanks for stopping by and checking out my thank you gifts. I hope I inspired you today!

JULY EDITION OF A HOMESPUN AFFAIR

Today is July 1st and you know what that means!

It's the release of 

A HOMESPUN AFFAIR
July Edition

I'm excited to share with you my part of this fabulous e-mag, Kidz Korner. 
This month I show you how to make fun and easy pinwheels for your 
4th of July bbq or parade. 

       So stop by  A HOMESPUN AFFAIR and check out everything we have in store for you. 

                            Tutorials, loads of inspiration, challenges, giveaways and more.

June 100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop - Day 2

Welcome to the June My Cricut Craft Room 100 Cart Blog Hop!

The hop starts at  My Cricut Craft Room, but you should have come from
Sheila. If you didn't start there, please go back to the beginning so you don't
miss any of todays blog hop projects. 

My son is graduating from high school next week so I made him a ribbon pin to wear the day of the graduation ceremony. Now the question is, will he actually wear it? lol

Want to make one? Here's how.
I used two carts to make this ribbon. County Fair & Varsity Letters.
Find the ribbon on page 29. I cut ribbon layers (<ribbon> & layer one) at 5 inches. Because I wanted more room for the wording, I cut the circle (<ribbon>, layer one, shift) at 5 3/4 inches. I cut the words using the Varsity Letters cartridge. "CLASS"  was cut at 1/2 inch, "OF" at 1/4 inch and "2012" at 3/4 inch. As you can see it is possible to cut tiny letters such as these if you have a good blade and good mat. I glued the letters to the circle then adhered the circle to the top layer of the ribbon. For dimension I  used foam pop dots between the layers. In addition I highlighted the cuts with some black ink rubbed on the edges, drew a few highlights with a white Signo pen, curled the bottom of the ribbon ends, then finished it off by gluing a 1/2 inch pin on the back. You can find them in the jewelry section of your local craft store. This was a quick and easy project, I had it done in about 20-30 minutes.

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I have been wanting to make something using the Cricut bug head from the Potpourri Basket cart. Originally I was going to make a vinyl bug head for my car window but green doesn't look so good on a red car. So I decided to make a Cricut bug head keychain to show off my love of the bug!

This is how I did it and you can do it too!
 I cut the bug head 5 times at 2 1/2 inches using the same technique that I used on my Owl Necklace & Earring Set.  After putting the layers together and the Mod Podge was dry I punched a hole in his antennae using the Euro Punch. I then attached a jump ring and a round keychain ring for my keys. Really very easy and fast. The possibilities are endless using this technique to make keychains using your favorite Cricut cart images.

~

This month Erica is doing CUTTLEBUG giveaways!

Everyday this month she will be giving away Cuttlebug folders as well as a Cuttlebug machine so be sure and visit My Cricut Craft Room every day during the month of June and leave a comment.

Erica is also giving away a Cricut cartridge during this blog hop. To be entered into this give away remember to comment on EVERY blog along the way. Winners will be announced on her blog Tuesday.

Next you're heading to Ericas Blog Candy  to finish up the hop. Don't forget to leave a comment there as well so you are entered into the Cricut cartridge give away. 

Here's the full line up in case you got lost along the way.

Start http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com

Amber - http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com

Heather F. www.papercrafteranonymous.com

Christina - http://cema1cema.blogspot.com

Kathy Jo- http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com

Candice- http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com/

Heather M. http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com

Erica's Project http://ericasprojects.blogspot.com

Yvette http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com

Shelley http://shelley-scrapbookingforfun.blogspot.com

Sheila - http://2pawprints.blogspot.com

Raquel- http://kraftykaboose.blogspot.com <---- You are here.

Blog Candy - http://ericasblogcandy.blogspot.com/ <---- Your next stop.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I inspired you today!

Happy Friday everyone! What an EXCITING day!! 

Today is the release of the premier issue of 
A HOMESPUN AFFAIR E-Magazine! 

It's jam packed with challenges, giveaways, how-to's, inspiration and more. If you haven't already, head over the to AHA blog  HERE and sign up for the monthly newsletter cause you're not gonna wanna miss a thing!

I'm really excited about this because not only is it a great e-mag I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of it. My section of is "Kidz Korner" where each month I'll share with you a project that you and your little one can create together.  For June I chose to make a Fathers Day gift. A Ribbon Spool Treat Holder for that special guy in your childs life. Hop on over and check it out for more details on how to make one.

So don't forget, you can view the PREMIER EDITION and subscribe to it HERE.

You can also find the Color Challenge and how to enter it there as well.

Good luck!

Letter Of The Day - U

Welcome to the Letter of the Day at My Cricut Craft Room!

While trying to decide what to make for todays project, I thought of my friend Maria. When I started scrapping four years ago I joined a few scrapbooking groups on MySpace where we met. We became good friends and eventually met in person when she came to visit and go to a Scrapbook Expo with me.

This sweet little girl you see here is Marias daughter, Sophia. The reason I thought of her is because Sophia, who has been through so much for being just 5 years old had open heart surgery last week.  Maria always refers to her as her 'Princess' so I thought to myself, every little Princess needs a Unicorn Magic Wand and if any little girl deserves it, she does. So I made it for her with lots of love. I'll be mailing it to her this week and I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it for her. ❤

 Here's Princess Sophia, bravely getting ready to go into surgery. She's such a strong girl, less than a week later she is at home and doing great!

Now that you know what inspired me, here is what came from that inspiration.....

TADA! A Unicorn Magic Wand.

 

~

 

Here's how to make one for your little Princess:

The unicorn image is found on page 22 of  the Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge. I cut it at 4 inches (<pixy>, accessories 3). The pictures make it hard to see that I used white flock on the body and pink flock on the tail and mane. Silver Martha Stewart glitter was used on the horn and Glossy Accents on the nose and hooves. A tiny Prima flower with an even tinier Queen & Co. pearl on her mane and a cute pink eyeshadowed googly eye makes her face too cute.  Finished it off by drawing the smile and detail lines onto the flock using a black Signo pen. I used a 3/4" Cosmo Cricket Glüber and attached the pink tulle to it. Then used a Glüber that I cut in half to attach the Unicorn to the tulle. I painted a 12" dowel white, then when it was dry I went over the white with Folk Art Extreme Glitter in hologram color to give it some sparkle. The pics don't show this well, but it looks pretty. I promise! I found some iridescent curling ribbon in my wrapping paper stash that goes well with the pink on the Unicorn so I attached two pieces of it to the top of the dowel as streamers. Next I adhered the tulle with the Unicorn on top of the dowel. Abracadabra, I had a cute magic wand that was quick and easy to make!

If you haven't done so already, please be sure and stop by My Cricut Craft Room to check out all of todays  projects!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I've inspired you today!

Theme Day Thursday

My Cricut Craft Room theme for this Thursday was to use a Flower Cartridge. I chose Flower Shoppe. I wanted so badly to go crazy and add lots of flowers to this project but felt it only need a few to look nice. This was my first time using the cartridge. The flowers were easy to put together. I can see myself using this cart a lot in the future. For this project I used the <Scallop1> flower cut at 2" and 3".

I came across a Ribbon Spool Photo Holder project in the current issue of  Northridge Publishings Signature Series magazine. I decided to give it a try. I changed mine up a bit cause well, that's what I do. lol  I don't own a Harley but I got this paper on clearance quite awhile ago and came across it in my car the other day. Yes, it's been living in my car since for months. lol  Now I just need to find some biker chick to give this to!

Wanna make one? Here's how:

Carefully remove the ends of the ribbon spool and cut two circles of paper at any size you like. Adhere a strip of paper around the middle of the spool. Punch a hole in one circle large enough for a dowel. This will be your top. Adhere a paper circle to each end of the spool. Paint a dowel and mini clothespin in a color that coordinates with your paper. Once dry, glue the clothes pin to the dowel. Put glue on the opposite end of the clothespin and insert it thru the hole pushing until it touches the bottom of the spool then embellish it any way you like.  I didn't have a Harley Davidson embellishment to go with the paper so I found the image online, printed it out and hand cut it. I then adhered it with pop dots to give it some dimension, wrapped tulle around the bottom of the dowel before inserting it and finished it off with two flowers on the clothespin. The clothespin holds your favorite photo! You could even make one to hold recipes or greeting cards. The possibilities really are endless and it cost next to nothing to make.

Don't forget to head to My Cricut Craft Room to see all the projects by Design Team Sisters!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I've inspired you today!

May 100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome to Erica's Craft Room

100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop!

You should have come from  Christina.   

If not please start at the beginning at  My Cricut Craft Room so you don't miss any of todays wonderful creations.

This is my first blog hop and I am SO excited about it!  For the hop I chose Sweet Tooth Boxes, Everyday Paper Dolls & Hoot 'n Holler Cricut cartridges to work with. 

~

My first project is using Hoot 'n Holler. I like doing all kinds of different scrappy, crafty things so I decided this owl would make a cute pendant & earring set.

How I did it:

 I wanted it to be nice and durable so I cut  4 of the bottom layer, 1 middle layer, 1 top layer and 1 set of eyes for each piece of 'owl3' on Hoot 'n Holler (my pendant was cut at 2" & the earrings at 3/4"). Using Hard Coat Mod Podge I began stacking the layers with a coat of Mod Podge in between each one. After I had it all put together I put 3 coats on both sides and the edges of the owls. Once dry, I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole thru the large owl. I attached an O-ring to it and hung it on an organza necklace. 

For the earrings I used my EuroPunch to make the holes because I needed something that punches a tiny hole but could go through the thickness of the diecut. I attached hypo-allergenic French earring hooks to the smaller owls and my project was completed. All 3 pieces only took about 30 minutes to make. SO quick and easy, not to mention adorable!

~ 

Saving the best for last, is my Sweet Shoppe.

 This little cutie would make a sweet gift for the baker in your life.

This is the store box on Sweet Tooth Boxes and it's cut at 10". The baker girl from Everyday Paper Dolls and all her clothes are cut at 3". I used Peachy Keen stamps on her face and cut the planter boxes by hand and added them to the windows.

 The front of the shoppe, where I turned the door upside down and made a step because I didn't care for how the door looked originally.

The other side of the shoppe, where you see the bakers bowl, measuring cup and spoon just waiting for her to come and bake up something tasty!

The backside of the shoppe.

A peek at the goodies inside.

What a yummy looking  pie that just came out of the oven! Now I'm hungry for some sweet treats! lol 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I inspired you today!

~

Now you'll hop on over to Heather.

Remember to comment on all of the blogs to be entered in Ericas Cricut cartridge give away! Winners will be announced on her blog Tuesday.

Also make sure to follow Ericas blog so you will know when she has contests, prizes, challenges, swaps & special online coupons.

Here's the complete line up in case you get lost:

Host- http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/

Shelley - http://shelley-scrapbookingforfun.blogspot.com/

Claire - http://www.threewaterscreations.com/

Candice - http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/

Amber - http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/

Tiffany - http://angel4ever-thecraftyteacher.blogspot.com/

Kathy Jo - http://skrappindiva.blogspot.com/

Sheila - http://2pawprints.blogspot.com/

Erica- http://ericasprojects.blogspot.com/

Lisa Carrier- http://ourcraftingcorner.blogspot.com/

Yvette http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Christina - http://cema1cema.blogspot.com/

Raquel - http://kraftykaboose.blogspot.com/<--YOU ARE HERE

Heather - http://digipage-blog.everything-digital-scrapbooking.com<--GO HERE NEXT

Sharon - http://simplysweetbysharon.blogspot.com/

Deirdre - http://glitteredroses.blogspot.com/

Lisa Chamberlain - http://lisacustomscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Ava - http://scrapbookdesign4u.blogspot.com/

Blog Candy http://ericasblogcandy.blogspot.com

Good Monday Morning Krafty Friends!

I'm BUZZING with excitement to share my latest My Cricut Craft Room 

project with you!

While looking over the project options, thinking aloud I said "What the heck can I make that starts with the letter Q?" My boyfriend replied "Queen Bee!" as if it were a no brainer. lol Hmpfh, why didn't I think of that?! He seemed so happy with himself that he came up with the idea that I couldn't not do it, ya know? So together we picked out the images....a bee from Create A Critter and a crown from Storybook. I decided to make a little treat out of this Queen Bee because I have a friend that it will be perfect for as a "Just Bee-cause" gift. 

Want to make your own? Here's how:

-You'll find the bee on page 68 of Create A Critter. I cut her at 4 1/2", using vellum for her wings then glittered the black part of the body and antennas. I Glossy Accented her eyes, drew on some eyelashes to make her more girly then finished off her face by adding rosy cheeks with a sponge dauber.

-The crown can be located on page 65 of Storybook. I cut it at 3/4" using the <crown2> & accent frame feature. I placed black rhinestones over the holes for some added bling. All crowns need some bling right? 

-I filled the treat tube with jelly beans, tied some tulle around the top just because I love tulle. I don't think I could craft without it. lol  Printed the sentiment onto cardstock using the "Giddyup" font. Punched the tag using Martha Stewarts tag punch, then tied it on with some DMC floss. I finished it off by adhering her to the tube. Now she's ready to fly off to her new home.  

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I've inspired you today! 

Please head over to My Cricut Craft Room to see the rest of todays projects.