Mother's Day Fun!

Happy Thursday to you!!! 

My hubby was so sweet yesterday, he said "Hey, I really hate to go to the store to buy a card for my Mom.  Do you think you can make something more special that we can send to her?"...

Well you know I was way more than happy to do that!!!  My mother-in-law is so appreciative of cards and flower and such, it's really a joy to create something for her. 

I'm also entering this little creation into the Cricut Circle Blog's Monthly Challenge for May.  It's a recipe challenge of sorts and so much fun!

For this card I chose the newly released "Little Cutie" line from Imaginisce for girls, a little Garden Party and Enchanted tossed in with some cardstock.  I used my i-Top brad maker for the center flower and our Mesh Brads from Garden Party for the other flower centers.  My i-rock shows up with those adorable new metal hearts on the flower centers and gems in my pattern paper on top.  The alpha stickers are from "Me & My Big Ideas". Twine is from the Twinery. Hemp is by Darico.

I used my Cricut Expression and the Doodlecharms cartridge for my sun and flowers.  I liked that the flowers sort of echoed the shape of the sun a bit.  I didn't attach the rays of the sun or the petals/leaves from my flowers just so I could provide a little texture and pop.

The touch of ric-rak at the bottom was just the perfect pop of pink that I thought it needed to be cheerful.

I hope this little card brings some sunshine into your day!  Have a super scrappity day!!!

~ Rhonda 

I-Rock New Accessories!

Happy Wednesday greetings to you! 

I'm back today to showcase a few more of our fabulous new bling products at Imaginisce!!!  I told you on Monday how much fun and beautiful these new shapes are... check these out!   

I've had so much fun working with our newest release "Little Cutie", I wanted to use it with one of my favorite "Daddy and me" photos of our oldest little guy.  Chuck had just come home from an extra long night at work and snuggled up with him in the chair.  I journaled the story and tucked it away in the little envelope.

A few fun things in this project;  I used some of the new Hot Rocks Compact - Rhinestuds in black for Teddy Bear's eyes and also the wheels for the little "train".  My favorite Glam Rocks - Squares were piled up in the bed of the truck to create a little cargo, as an accent on the upper left corner of my page, then again in a grid in my first filmstrip spot.  Super fun!!!

The sweet chipboard bear got a little dimension on his ears and feet from the new Hot Rocks Compact - Glitter in gold.

My little tip or "discovery" for this project...  those little thumbnail images you get on your film orders...  they fit very well on Tim Holtz's filmstrip ribbon.  I used a variety of thumbnails from birth to 3 months.  The other cool discovery, our rocks adhere wonderfully to it too!

I hope you take a few minutes to stop on over to the Imaginisce Blog and take in some more amazing inspiration!  There are prizes so you definitely want to check it out, you're going to be in bling heaven!!!

Thanks so much for stopping on over to spend a moment with me today!  Have a super scrappity day!

~Rhonda

Click it with Cricut!

What do you get when you pair up two amazing companies?  You get super fun projects that click!  Cricut + Imaginisce = Amazing Crafting!!!

Shemaine and I have the honor to bring to you some Easter themed projects using our Cricut and Imaginisce products today. 

Be sure to stop on over to the Imaginisce Blog to leave some comments today for your chance to win a super amazing prize!!!

I decided to go a little non traditional, but still within the Easter theme for my first project.  My sweet boys are in LOVE with all things dinosaur right now.  I thought that would be a fabulous and fun card for them.  T-Rex is a really big favorite, but I wanted the feel to be softer and more of a baby, so I chose this instead.

Don't you just love the new metal silver tears bling?!!  I sure do!!!

 
Directions for my “Dino Happy Easter” Shaped Card:

• Using Cricut cartridge Create a Critter, cut 1 [ Shell ] at 6 inches
• Using Cricut cartridge Doodlecharms, cut 1 [ Egg ] at 6 ½ inches
• Using Cricut cartridge Wild Card, cut 1 [ Giftbox - Phrase ] at 3 ½ inches (Easter)
• Using Cricut cartridge Beyond Birthdays, cut 1 [ HappyDay ] at 2 ¾ inches (Happy)
• Ink edges of your cut pieces with respective distress inks.
• Machine or faux stitch around egg pieces as desired. (Optional)
• Cut piece of burlap to fit width of bottom of Shell, approximately 1” high, fringe, then trim along the crack shape carefully.
• Using 3 in 1 liquid glue, attach burlap to back of paper. Set aside to dry.
• Cover one 22 mm i-top brad and two 16 mm i-top brads with coordinating circles from Primordial Ooze paper.
• Add Stickles to Happy and Easter cut sentiments, let dry.
• Attach the top of Shell at an angle to your Egg using Glue Glider Pro.
• Use Xyron for “Happy”, attach to card, use mini foam dots for “Easter” word.
• Attach 16 mm i-top brads, one on top and one on bottom of card.
• Using i-Rock, attach green or yellow crystals.
• Add foam dots to back of Shell bottom, attach carefully to create egg.
• Cut chipboard dinosaur tail so you can extend out of the card if desired.
• Create loose bow with seam binding ribbon, pierce and secure large brad through loops.
• Determine location for 22mm i-top brad, then pierce and attach as shown.
• Attach chipboard dinosaur and “Rawr” sentiment. I used foam dots for the Rawr sentiment.
• Arrange Metal Silver Tears with i-rock to create a little “Dino Drool”.

Supplies:
- Cricut cartridges "Create a Critter", “Wild Card”, “Beyond Birthdays”, “Doodlecharms"
- Imaginisce “Dino Roar”, “Primordial Ooze”, “Petrified Wood”,
- Imaginisce Chipboard Stickers, “Prehistoric Pals”
- i-Top Brads, 1 – 22 mm, 2 – 16 mm
- i-Top
- Paper Piercer
- i-Rock “Hot Rocks Compact – Jewel”, “Glam Rocks – Silver Tears”
- i-Rock
- Burlap
- Distress Ink: “Shabby Shutters”, “Dried Marigold”
- Ranger Stickles, “Tropical Tangerine”
- Ribbon, Hug Snug dyed with “Crème de Chocolat” Glimmer Mist
- String, J & P Coates Pearl Cotton
- Foam Dots
- Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro
- Xyron
- Beacon 3 in 1 craft glue
- Sewing Machine, Thread (optional)
- White journaling pen for faux stitch marks if desired

For my next project, I really wanted to do a traditional themed project and our newest release "Little Cutie" was the perfect choice for it!  Can you guess which Cricut Cartridge this came from?  Believe it or not...  Winter Woodlands!  Don't you just love the extra texture that the embossing adds to this sweet card?

Directions for my “Hop” the Bunny Card:
• Using Cricut cartridge Winter Woodlands, cut 1 [ Rabbit Card ] at 5 ½ inches, 1 [ Rabbit Card ] layer at 5 ½ inches, 1 [ Rabbit ] at 5 inches, 1 [ Rabbit-s ] at 5 inches, 1 [ Rabbit – Layers ] at 5 ½ inches.
• Ink edges with distress ink (Worn Lipstick, Yellow Mustard, Weathered Wood).
• Emboss blue card liner with Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls folder.
• Emboss rabbit-s parts with Cuttlebug D’vine Swirl folder, attach layers (eyes and nose).
• Adhere embossed liner to card.
• Adhere 5 inch Rabbit to card.
• Using foam dots, attach Rabbit contrast pieces.
• Add chipboard flower to Rabbit’s tail.
• Trim banner from pattern paper, attach as shown adding bows to ends.
• Add crinkle ribbon or other ribbon bow as desired at Rabbits chin.

Supplies:
- Cricut cartridge "Winter Woodlands"
- Imaginisce “Little Cutie – Girl”, “Sweet Baby”, “Beyond Precious”
- Imaginisce Chipboard Stickers, “Daddy’s Little Girl”
- Imaginisce “Garden Party”, “Row of Posies” paper
- Yellow Cardstock
- Black Cardstock
- Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro
- Ribbon, Hug Snug
- String, J & P Coates Pearl Cotton
- Distress Ink, “Mustard Seed”, "Worn Lipstick", "Weathered Wood"

I hope you are inspired to take a little time and look at your Cricut cartridges to see what you have, and to use your embossing folders too!  It's amazing to me when you can combine this little piece from here and there and just make something work.  I didn't have a "Spring" or "Easter" cartridge, but I still was able to piece together a Happy Easter sentiment.  To me, that's the fabulous part of crafting and creating with my Cricut!

Thank you so much for spending a minute with me here today!  Have yourself a super scrappity day!!!
~ Rhonda

Little Cutie Release Party! Day 4!!!

Happy Thursday to you my dear blogging friends!!! 

It's time for some more Imaginisce Little Cutie inspiration for the boys!  I hope you've been hanging out over at the Imaginisce Blog this week, there are so many amazing projects from the Design Team! 

I thought it would be fun to focus on a few of the super cute Snag 'Em stamps for a project.  One of my other favorite things to do is try different types and styles of cards out from time to time.  Where to go?  Of course the best place to go when one is searching for things like this is Split Coast Stampers!  Thank you to Mary Jo Albright for this wonderful idea and the super instructions!

I used my Copic marker to color the crystal clear gems that pretty blue.  This was the first time I've tried this and I am in love with the effect!  I think I've had a few Copics now for about 10 days and I'm in love!

Here is what this looks when you fold it flat to mail.  You can leave it plain, add a ribbon, or use a simple paper sleeve as a cute decorative touch.  I couldn't resist the teddy bear and my i-Top!  Isn't he sweet?

I snapped a few photos during my creative process:

I started with my base 4.25 x 11 and scored per the instructions. 



This started as an experiment.  I initially planned to use the Little Cutie patterned paper for the base of the card, but then thought it would be more interesting to use the Snag 'Em stamps.  Doesn't the Versamark with embossing powder pop from the kraft card stock?  I loved it so I went with this. 

Tip:  Take a chance and cut apart your sentiment from your Snag 'Em stamp if you want more versatility.  I cut the sailboat apart from the "it's a boy!" sentiment and had fun with it! 

I then decided to bring in a little color and used my Copic Sketch in Slate Blue to my sailboats and rattles.  After that I misted over all of this with some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Lemon.  It totally changed the feel of the kraft.

Other Tips:  Complete your tag card with stitching and any other major embellishments, then assemble.  For this card, it really is best if you use score tape.  I used my i-rock with my little stars and to attach my tag I used my Pogo.  I used some foam dots for dimension on my stars.

Hopefully you had a little stamping/inky/misty fun with me today!  I really love these pop up cards, I hope you give it a try for something fun and different and remember...  get your Snag 'Em stamps out!  

Be sure to stop on over to the Imaginisce Blog today to see what other inspirational projects the Design Team has for you with Little Cutie!  You certainly will want to leave a comment for your chance to win a collection of your very own!!!

Have a super scrappity day!!! 

~ Rhonda

Imaginisce Release Party: Little Cutie

Greetings my blog loving friends!  How are you?  We are so excited over at Imaginisce this week, we have a brand new release to share with you and you know what that means...  fun, tons of inspiration and of course...  prizes to be had as well!

Little Cutie has a girls range and a boys range.  Yesterday as you recall was day 1 for the girls, now today is day 1 for the boys! 

I'll start you with my layout...  this is one of my favorite baby photos of our 3 year old:

I just loved the sweet giraffe and the adorable sentiment from the Toy Box Boy Diecuts!  I fussy cut the scallops and layered a few for some texture.  I also stitched down the striped border on the bottom, then tied a bow with the thread tails. 

Extras that I added are the blue hemp, white rose trim by Maya Road on my photo as well as a little partial bud that was left fit perfectly on my folded flower.  I've always wanted to use that folded flower technique and it seemed to work nicely in that little spot.   I punched a tiny ticket and attached it to my hemp with a little scrap piece of fine bakers twine. 

The stars and banner were lifted with some foam dots.  I used my Pogo on here to attach my Snip & Snails title and to tack down the doily edges.  My beloved I-Rock and crystal gems were used for my "sparkling stars" (my personal favorite part of this page besides the photo!).  The final touches was a few bows on the ends of my banner and Stickles on my blue star. 

My next project was inspired by the "Snips & Snails" sentiment and a few other fun things...

I recently picked up a little treasure from an antique store and they placed it in this sweet little box!  The size and color was just perfect for a Little Cutie "Snips & Snails Keepsake Box".  I also affectionately refer to this as the "lock box"...  perfect for baby's first haircut.

Here is what I created:

Directions:

1. Find small box (mine is approximately 3 5/8 x 3 5/8).
2. Trim strip of blue stars 5" long.
3. Trim swirl strip 1.25" wide x 5" long.
4. Trim argyle strip 2" wide x 5" long.
5. Ink edges of all strips with Ranger Distress Ink in Weathered Wood.
6. Lay each strip on the top of the box, then gently follow the shape of the box to lightly bend the paper along each side to determine your fold lines.
7. The paper will fold over and tuck in on the underside of the box lid.
8. I used Modge Podge to attach my paper strips. 
9. Next I added my decorative trim using my I-Bond, making sure to fold the trim to the underside of the box lid.
10. Add the chipboard "Snips and Snails" sentiment with foam dots as shown.  Leave space for the trim between foam dots.  (Have I told you how much I looove our embellies?!!)
11. Add canvas sticker sentiment.
12. Apply i-rock gems.
13. Using the Just Because Cricut Cartridge and your Cricut, cut two envelopes using "Carrot" at 3.5".
14. Optional:  Add a hand print of baby.  Trim blue cardstock to 3" x 3".  Trim hand print to 2.75" x 2.75" and mat.  I included a tab punched from a Stampin Up Round Tab Punch.

I thought this was the sweetest keepsake box!  Fortunately, I had gotten a few of my baby's hand prints and had them stored with the baby photos.  This was not a "perfect" one, but I was so glad to find it and this was a great way to use it.

Thank you so much for hanging out with me for a few minutes today!  Be sure that you pop on over to the Imaginisce blog and comment for your opportunity to win a collection of Little Cutie for yourself!  There are some simply amazing projects created by the uber talented Imaginisce Design Team that will be sure to inspire you!

Have a super scrappity day!!!

~ Rhonda