Happy 4th of July from BugBites and my Cricut

I just have a few more holiday cards left to get in the mail.

I am back to using my Cricut - Yeah!

I like to stamp, but love using my Gypsy and Cricut to create.

I still have some scrap 4^th of July paper left so I used it for the background on this card.
Because it is a busy pattern, I decided on a simple cut from A Child’s Year.

Added a sticker border from a 4^th of July sticker sheet I picked up by Memory Keepers and added it to the top.

I am happy how it turned out. 

 

I am going to link this card up to the following challenges.
Cricut Circle Weekly Challenge-Patriotic Pride

Craft Us Crazy- Red, White and Blue
Wacky Wednesday Challenge – Red White and Blue

I encourage all of you to give these challenges a try- it is so easy to find scraps of red, white and blue paper in you drawer and through them on a card to see what you get. Can’t get easier than that.

       
Here’s How I did it…
Card base is A2
Paper is from my stash
Sticker border form Memory Keepers
Children/layers cut at 3.75” from A child’s Year
Sentiment tag cut from Once Upon A Princess
The sentiment is from Stampendous
MS Red bakers twine- yes I seem to be obsessed with this right now. LOL!

My Sheri Crafts Independance Day Challenge

The challenge over at My Sheri Crafts this week is Independence Day.

I decided to use the other stamp from my bargain $2 stamp set, which is the Lady Liberty part of the stamp set and ventured out to use colors other than Red, White and Blue.

I think it is still Patriotic.

 

I also tried a “new to me” technique of stamping the image on another piece of paper and then cut out the part I wanted to be that color and layered them on to the original stamped image. 

So in these examples, I cut out the teal colored paper and glued it to the stamped image on the white paper. I then colored the rest of the stamp with my markers.

In a couple I also added a Sentiment, Let Freedom Ring, from Prickly Pear

Inside I stamped a simple Happy 4^th of July using a wood mounted stamp from Stampendous

Have a great day!!

 

Here’s How I did it…
Card base is A2
Paper is from my stash
Liberty girl is a Stampendous Stamp - see stamp set to the right
Let Freedom Ring is from Prickly Pear
Star brads I  had in my stash for a very, very  long time and finally found a use for them
Ovals cut using the Creative Memories custom cutting system
MS bakers twine

Proud to be American

Another card for the holiday weekend coming up.

This one shows our support for the wonderful men and women that protect our country each and every day. 

A huge THANK YOU goes out to all the great service men and women for putting their lives on the line every day for us.
There is still plenty of time to get a card done and send to someone and thank them for their courage to protect our country.

 

I literally used small scraps of paper and put them into a pattern on the card background. If you happen to be a quilter, you will notice the pattern is that of a log cabin quilt square. Log cabin squares always start with a square of red in the middle. 

The "Proud to be an American" was another part of a piece of paper from Memory Keepers 6x6 stack that I have been using. Yes, I used more bakers twine. 

 

I will be linking this card up to the following challenges and then getting into the mailbox to a special friend. 

Scrapbookaholic By Abby- Red White and Blue
Sentimental Sundays- Color of your Nations Flag
Scrappy Moms – Stand and Salute Cartridge challenge

Please stop by these challenge blogs to see the inspiration from the Design Team members and perhaps link up a project of your own.  

Here’s how I did it…
Card base is 5.25” square
Paper is scraps from my stash
Paper strips are all 1” wide and then cut to fit around the 1” square in the middle.
Center 1” square- next trip is 1” square, then 1” by 2”, etc keep turning your block a quarter turn when adding a strip
Service people/layers cut at 3” from Stand and Salute cartridge
MS red bakers twine

More Uncle Sam cards

Ok, here is my next post for the next 4^th of July card.There are still a few  more to come.

I am still on a roll using that stamp set I got for the whole $2,  so I am really getting my monies worth out of it!

This one was so super simple. The paper was scraps from my stash from a project back in May. So I cut the paper to the size I wanted, stamped the image and colored it, then added some stickles to the star and a few pen doodles.

The America-America was on a piece of paper so I just trimmed it out and glued it on.

See, you can make a great card with only a few pieces of paper and without the Cricut -  Oh my!!!

 

I am going to link this card up to the following challenges.

Craft Us Crazy Red, White and Blue
Craft Your Passion – use the color Red

 

Hope you'll stop over to these blogs and enter a project too!

 

Here’s How I did it…
Card base is 5.25”x5.25”
Striped mat is 5”x5”
Stamped image is 2.75”x3.25” and then matted with an 1.8” mat
America border cut from printed paper
Used copic markers to color and stickles to accent

Some Patriotic Cards I have been working on.

I have been busy trying to get my 4th of July cards done so I can get them in the mail. To make it fun, I decided to do different cards for everyone based on challenges that are in the blog world to challenge myself to come up with many designs rather than one design and mass produce it.  I admit, I get bored making so many of one thing. 

So you will see a few post over the next day or two of my cards. 

Here is the first one....

This is using that cute little Uncle Sam stamp I mentioned a few posts back.

Used some paper from a Memory Keeper 6x6 paper stack. It reads God Bless America on the inside. 

I will be linking it up to the following challenges. 

Craft Us Crazy #11 : Red White and Blue or Summer theme

Celebrate the Occasion #20 : 4th of July, Red, White and Blue

Please be sure to check out these blogs for some great inspiration.

Here's How I did it...

Card is basic A2 size using Memory Keeper papers from Yankee Doodles 6x6 stack

Stamp is Stampendous- colored using copic markers

Frame is from Lacy Labels Cricut cart size on my Gypsy to fit the image

EK Border stamp for red border

Paisley Cuttlebug Folder to give texture to white strip

MS Bakers twine

Another Sweet Blog Award

Thank you Sandy over at  http://thecraftycreationspot.blogspot.com/
and Melissa over at  http://scrapopotomus.blogspot.com
for passing along the Sweet Blog award to me.

Both of these ladies have  awesome blogs and some great projects to share with all of you so please be sure to stop by and say hi to them.


Being I just received this award recently I will ask that you all please click here to hop over to the other blogs I have passed this award onto.  

Thank you to all that stop by my blog - I am so very lucky to have wonderful blog friends.

Baking Blog Hop Winner

Thank you all for joining us for the Baking Blog Hop last Friday and thank you for all the kind comments. 

I hope you get a chance to try the recipe. It is so super easy and most ingredients you might already have in your pantry. 

Now for the winner  of the My Pink Stamper Sweetest Cupcakes stamp set is.....

 Lillian Child..

My family LOVES rhubarb and your recipe looks so delicious! Love your page layout!! I am now a follower of your blog. So very nice to meet you. http://lillianchild.blogspot.com

June 25, 2011 8:03 AM

Congratulations Lillian- I will be in touch to get your address so I can get the stamps out to you.

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday #66 - Happy 4th!!

It is almost the 4th of July- that means half the year is almost over- where does the time go. 

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday challenge is all about celebrating this patriotic holiday. The challenge is perfect this week, use Red, White, and Blue on your project. 

I know you all can do that... so I hope I see lots of projects this week.

Here is what I did. The little girl is from Lettering Delights Weather girl set.

She is so cute and looks like she is standing on the sidewalk ready for the 4th of July parade to come by.

When I make cards I usually make at least two at a time, I figure while I am cutting why not cut a few more to have on hand. So you will see a second version below-only difference is the ribbon really.

I had the scrap of blue ribbon with the liberty saying, but did not have enough for the second card, so pulled out the red dotted ribbon. The red ruffle is crepe paper ruffle ribbon I had picked up at a scrap event early in the year.

The inside of the card is a sentiment I have on a plaque hanging in my Disney decorated office. It was perfect for this card.

You''ll also find this cute linked up at 
My Craft Spot for their challenge #14- Seeing stars challenge
Paper Playtime for the red, white and blue challenge
Whimsical Wednesday patriotic Challenge

Here's How I did it...

Base card is standard A2 size

Pattern paper is from American Made and Memory Keepers

All other paper from my stash including the glitter blue paper for girls dress

Girl/layers cut at 3.5" from Lettering Delights

Face from PKS Happy Lashes Stamp set

Balloon sized to 1.11" x2.85" from Create a Critter

Ribbons from my stash

EK Border punch on inside of card

Inside Sentiment typed and printed on my computer using Disney font

Stars punched from CM star border punch

Balloon sentiment is BugBites

A few star gems, chalks, bakers twine and doodles with my gel pen

Going Old School

The Throwback Thursday challenge over at My Creative Time was to  use a sketch for inspiration 

AND you could not use any of your Cricut tools. 

Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I picked up this cute stamp at the local craft store. All clear stamps were 40% of this week- can you believe it. This little stamp set included Little Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, 2 sentiments, a row of stars, a flag and a firework burst all for $2!!

Here's how I did it...

Base card is 5"x5"

Paper is from Memory Keepers Yankee Doodles 6x6 pack

EK border punch for Navy blue mat

Stamp and sentiment is Stampendous- Patriotic Pair

Stars are punched from the Creative Memories mini star punch

Tiny stars are from Creative Memories Star border punch

Ready Set Bake! Welcome to the Baking Blog Hop.

Welcome to the  Baking Blog Hop!


Welcome to  BugBites  and the Jessica's Baking Blog Hop! tonight the designers in the Baking Blog Hop have baked up some great projects that all include baking!
I am so excited to be apart of this Baking Blog Hop. I love to bake so this was a perfect fit for me! 


If you have come from Wendy's blog, you are on the right place.
If you happen to stumble upon my blog and would like to play along, please start at Jessica's blog over at bakingupcrafts.com.


So her is what I have baked up for you tonight-it's a second dose of Food Fare Friday for you all.

This is a very easy and delicious recipe that can be made with any variety of fruit.
But, because rhubarb is in season now in MN, I thought I would share it with you.

 This recipe page layout is 8"x8".
The sign was cut with my cricut using the Freshly Picked cartridge and stamped using the Country Living Pink by Design stamp set. The berries cut from the Preserve cartridges with a few sticker berries thrown in. 

I also love this paper from Imaginisce.

I HAVE ALSO BAKED UP SOME  BLOG CANDY

the My Pink Stamper Sweetest Cupcakes stamp set for one lucky winner

All you have to do is:

1.)  Be a follower
2.) Leave a comment on this post with your contact info in case you win. 

I will pick and announce one lucky winner on Tuesday, June 28.

Your next delicious stop is Maria at Joyful Stamper. 

Here is the complete line up in case you get lost along the way

1. Jessica-bakingupcrafts.com

2. Sarah- http://www.pinkcricut.com/

3. Wendy-http://gilbyscraftster.blogspot.com

4. Barb -bugbites411.blogspot.com~you are here!

5. Maria- http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com~Your next stop!

6. Jen- www.jenscraftcorner.com

7. Dana- http://www.irwdanataft.blogspot.com/


Thanks for baking along with us tonight!

Cricut 360- first challenge coming up and a chance to win a Cricut Cartridge!

I am so excited, the new Challenge blog,  Cricut 360º is gearing up for a big start, July 1.

I am so excited to be a part of the very first and very talent DT.

To get things rolling we are inviting you all to stop over and get familiar with the blog.

Read the bios of the desing team, and become a follower so you will be the first to get the challenge information each week.

Simply click on the icon above to hop over there now. 

Oh yeah- when you get there, be sure to check out how you can enter for a chance to win this Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge. 

The winner will be announced Thursday, June 30th.

See you in a week for our first challenge!

Frosted Designs Friday Challenge and Food Fair Friday

Happy Friday!!!

A crazy busy week for me at work.

It is time for another Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge - black and white plus one color!


I decided to combine this challenge with my Food Fare Friday. You know how I love recipes.

First off, the sponsor of this weeks challenge at Frosted Designs is Creative Cuts & More .

They have loads of die cuts including frames, album covers, shapes, and more!
They were so generous to send a few of their die cuts to some of the DT members to use on their projects this week, how nice.

I selected to use the 81/2x11 color block mat, decorative label shapes and their buckle die cut set

My BFF had a graduation open house last weekend and one of her sister-in-laws made these wonderful bars. So I had to get the recipe. It is so super simple and good!

I trimmed the color block mat down to 8x8, cut one of the die cuts in half to spread the black color around and embossed the buckle die cuts and put some ribbon through them to make it look like a strap holding all the blocks together for this recipe.

Here's how I did it...
Cut color block die cut down to 8x8 from Creative Cuts and More
All papers from my stash
2- black shape diecuts from Creative Cuts and More, one cut in half
2 buckles embossed with swiss dots cuttlebug folder from Creative Cuts and More
Title/layers cut at 1" from Cindy Loo
Mixer/layers cut at  2.25" from Nifty Fifties
A few stickles on the stars and letters


Please jump over to Frosted Designs to see what the other designers have done and link up a project. I would love to see what you come up with.

Shaped Birthday card

Hey everyone. I have been out of town due to a family matter and just back now. The weather is crazy- it just keeps raining and raining. 

As soon as I got home I had to get a quick fix of my cricut. 

Here is a quick little shaped birthday card for the Birthday Sundaes challenge this week.

It is such a cute little gift bag that I think i can use to insert a gift card to perhaps Starbucks or Michael's!!

The cut is from the Birthday Bash cartridge on page 59. I cut it at 4.75". The sentiment is from My Creative Time.

I have lots of stuff coming up this Friday- it is going to be a crazy busy day! 

Hope you will stop by.

I received a new award- I am so lucky!

I am so lucky to have such great people out there that think my blog has something special. I am so excited.

Sherri over at Sherrie Scraps with Passion was so kind and thoughtful to pass along this award to me.

The rules for the award are the following:

1.) Send a thank you to the person who nominated you and include their link.

2.) To accept this award, answer 7 random facts about yourself.

3.) Pass the award to at least 8 other blog buddies.

Random facts about me:

1.) I love candy

2.) I love to travel

3.)I am addicted to my Cricut

4.) I work from home in sweat pants most of the time

5.) I like trying and getting new recipes

6.)I can run a 5K but do not like to run

7.)I like days when it is over 80 degrees

I would like to pass this award onto the following great crafters

1. Mary at Cardz TV

2. Sonia at Scraps 4 Fun

3. Heather at House Built of Cards

4. Diana at DL Art

5.Katie at Crafting with Katie

6. Larelyn at Handmade from My Heart

7. Paula at Craft with Bee

8. Sarah at Sara's Stamping Stuff

Happy BIrthday America- Shape card

Here is my  Happy Birthday to America card. 

It is not specifically an every day birthday card, but after all it is our countries Birthday in just a couple weeks.

I dug out a cartridge I have not used in a while, Robotz..

I am linking this up to Hand Stamped Sentiment's Stars and Stripes challenge this week. 

Here's how I did it....

Printed paper from Memory Keepers

Robot shadow sized to 4.6" and duplicate welded from Robotz, p. 49

Layers for Robot cut also at 4.6"

Inside Sentiment from MPK Freedom Rocks stamp set

Sentiment on front from BugBites (yup, you read right, more on that later)

Chalks and doodles with my gel pen

Happy Birthday America!!!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday challenge #65-Summer Sun

If you hare hopping over from Frosted Designs today to see the Mini Album Project, click here.

It's another Monday.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

I had a great weekend- I got a new toy. 

I am happy to report, I finally made the jump and ordered a Cricut Imagine!!

I got it late on Friday, so was getting to know it over the weekend. 

I think it is going to be fun

 

The challenge this week at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday is Summer Sun- create any project with a sun on it, be sure to use at least one Cricut cut. 

Nothing like fishing off the dock at the lake on a warm, sunny, summer day.

Of course, I just had to use my favorite cartridge for this challenge, Campin Critters. 

I also wanted to use my new toy on this project as well. So I printed the stripped background paper and the sun with the Imagine.

I hope you will stop over to FCCB and link up a project. I would love to see how you use a sun on your project.

 

Here's how I did it...

Card base is 5"x5" from Kraft card stock

Striped background paper printed and cut from Imagine More cartridge

Lake scene/layers cut at 4.75" from Campin' Critters, p. 64

Deer/layers cute at 2.5" from Campin' Critters, p.24

Sun printed and cut at 1.8" from Imagine More cartridge

Sentiment from Pink by Design Woodland Critters

Sentiment tag cut from Campin Critters

Ribbon and breads from my stash

Pop dots for the deer.

Happy Birthday to You?

If it is your birthday, well, Happy Birthday. 

My Pink Stamper is having a challenge for anything Birthday today. 

So here is my Mr. Potato Head Birthday card. A fun card for any age, but I especially think a little boy might like this one. 

I cut off his real hat and replaced it with a birthday hat. 

Here's how I did it....

Base card is 6" square

Pattern Paper is from My Minds Eye

All other paper is from my stash

Mr Potato Head/layers cut at 4.75" from Toy Story, p. 61 

Birthday hat sized with my gypsy at 2.15" x 1.67" and cut from Simply Charmed

Sentiment from MPS Fancy Phrases

Button and ribbon from my stash

Stickles, chalk and doodles with my gel pen

Frosted Design Journal Tags Challenge

Oh baby!! 

Yup- this cute little baby book took me quite a while, not to mention loads of cuts with the cricut. 

 

This week at Frosted Desgins, the challenge is to use tags. 

Many of the DT members are using products from our sponsor this week,

If you have not discovered these products yet, you are in for a surprise. They are awesome and make the greatest little albums, keepsakes, and more. Not to mention, they are very reasonably priced. 

Now let me show you the finished book page by page.

Page one- cover is acrylic for protection

I made this little book thinking of all the first things that happen during a baby's first year that a Mom and Dad might want to record and take pictures of .
First off most of the cuts came from either Baby Steps, New Arrival or Storks' Delivery Cartridges.

The stork once and then re-cut it again by flipping it so when I attached it to the acrylic cover, I had one on the inside cover too, mainly to cover up the adhesive for the first one. But in the end it looks like the stork is flying over the carriage when the book is closed.
The banners are from Just a note cartridge and Stork and Carriage are from New Arrival. The Letters on the tabs are from CM Stork's Delivery

 

Pages 2-3

On these pages, you will see my little tag with a sentiment from My Pink Stamper.
The crawling boy, duck pin, and  Big Boy title all from Baby Steps
Train is from New Arrival and the frame is from Lacy Labels
Rattle is from CM Stork's Delivery

Pages 4-5

Now it is bath time. Baby in tub, wobble toy is from Baby Steps
Giraffe is from Cm Stork's Delivery
Large yellow duck and Bath time Title is from New Arrival
Tag is from CM tag punch

Pages 6-7

These next page a are busy just like a busy little boy that has started to walk and play with his toys.
Tag is from CM tag punch

Airplane and car are from B is for Boy

Little boy with balloon is from Baby Steps
The clothes line and clothes are Karen Foster Stickers

Page 8 or back page

The back page I wanted to keep simple since it is the back and did not want anything to bulky back here in case it might get damaged when handled. So I made a basic pocket for a to slip in a mini record sheet into it. The record sheet can be a listing of dates for first steps, first tooth, first haircut, etc.

The little Man title is from CM Stork's Delivery

Most of the stripe and pattern paper is from a Baby Stack that I picked up a few years ago on clearance called Marcella by K and Company

I hope you enjoyed this little project and take the time to head over to My Monster Creations to see what other things she has.

Also, don't forget to check out the other DT projects as well at Frosted Designs and then link up your project. I would love to see what you do.

I am also posting this over at  Scrappin with Cricut - no cards or layouts challenge.

A Bunch of Father's Day challenges

Here is a card I did for the upcoming Father's Day weekend. A nice sunny day at the beach with a cool ocean breeze...all that's missing is a cold adult beverage.

Seems everyone has a Father's Day challenge going on. So I will be linking this one up to the following challenge blogs.

Cardz TV- Dad's Day/Beach theme

My Sherri Crafts - Dad's Day

Whimsical Wednesday #10 - Dad's Day

Cooking with Cricut Pick Your Poison #37 - Favorite cart (hard to pick just one, but Life's a Beach is at the top) and color

Be sure to stop over at all these great challenge blogs and link up your own project, it's great fun. Ya never know, you might even win a prize!

Here's how I did it....

Standard A2 card base

Papers are all from my scrap stash

Chair/layers cut at 2.65" from Life's a Beach

Umbrella/layers cut at 3.5" from Life's a Beach

Wave border cut at 1.16" from Life's a Beach

Sun cut at 1.9" from Life's a Beach

Doodles with my gel pen and a button embellishment

Sentiment from  MPS Happiest Moments Stamp set

FCCBN Challenge # 64 Take 2!

Ok- if you read my post earlier today, you will know that the challenge at FCCB this week is a wedding project that must have white and a bell on it. However, my project this morning, was wedding but did not have a bell, nor much white. Guess I read the challenge info way to quickly and blew right by the white and bell part. So, here is take two for this challenge for me.  Hope I got it right this time. 

 

Here's how I did it...

Card base cut at 5.25" x 4"- two of these shapes welded together for the base card all from Tie the Knot cartridge

Mat cut at 5" x 3.75" from Tie the Knot

Bell/Layers cut at 3.4" from Tie the Knot

Embossing of mat was done withthe leafy branches from Cuttlebug

Bell was embossed with Swiss Dots from Cuttlebug

Pink chalk on edges

A few pearls for bling

sentiment from MPS

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #64 - Wedding Wishes

It's Monday and that means it is Challenge Me Monday over at Fantabulous Cricut!!
This week the DT is challenging you all to create and link up a project with the theme Wedding Wishes.

Here is my Wedding Wishes card.
Not the normal, wedding cake, rings or bride on the card. I wanted to do something different.
All the cuts are from the Wedding Solutions cartridge. Now- I just realizes this morning that I was suppose to include a bell- yikes, totally missed that when I did this card. Looks like I will be doing another on e later today.

I am also linking this card up to the Cricut Cardz challenge this week which is also a Wedding card challenge.

I hope you will check both challenges out and link up a project. Can't wait to see what you do. 


Here's how I did it...

All Paper is from my stash
Card base is 5"x5"
Martha Stewart Border punch for front edge
Hat/layers cut at 2" from Wedding Solutions
Flowers/layers cut at 2" from Wedding Solutions
Silk flower in corner and sheer flower tucked under bouquet for extra texture.
Pearls, beaded pin and stickles to complete the card.
Inside the card the sentiment reads Best Wishes from MPS Fancy Phrases stamp set.

Birthday Sundaes Birthday Card

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Here is a quick card I put together for the Birthday Sundaes Challenge this week.The challenge is to use either wet or dry embossing. I embossed the cupcake wrapper with the distressed stripes Cuttle bug folder. I then used a brown chalk to lightly rub over it so it stands out better.

Here's how I did it...

All paper is scraps from my stash

Card base cut at 8.5" x 5.5" from Birthday Bash, p. 39

Cupcake/layers cut at 2.5" from Birthday Bash, p. 58

A couple buttons and some doodles with my gel pen

Sentiment from My Creative Time's  Wow! Sp Many Candles stamp set

Ribbon from my stash

A Cricut Circle Challenge

I am having fun digging and discovering all the things the Cricut Cricle has to offer. 

Still not sure if I will join after my trial, but we will see. 

In the meantime, I am going to see if I can keep up with all the fun challenges they have over there. 

So this card was done for one of their Magazine challenges. The challenge was to get inspiration from the May issue of the Cricut Circle Magazine and use at least 3 cricut cuts.

Well, this issue had a section on flowers and gardening items as well as a card that had a single flower on the front. 

So here is a little card I did from that inspiration. 

It is hard to tell from the photos, but the vase and the yellow flower I popped up so it had more dimension. I also have some bling gems on each side which are hard to see here as well. 

I used the frame cut from the Cindy Loo cart after seeing a Friday tips video over at 

My Creative Time.

It was a great video where I learned how Emma does her frames, so I had to try it. 

Here's How I did it... 

Card base is from red card stock and is standard A2 size

Pattern paper from Fancy Pants

All other paper from my scrap stash

Frame cut from Cindy Loo at sized to 3.69"x4.75"  and hiding the center with my gypsy

Oval cut at 2.44" x 3.46" from Cindy Loo. Welded a second copy of this to my frame before cutting

Flowers/layers cut at 2.61" from Everyday Pop-Up Cards

Circles cut from CM circle punch

Sentiment from My Pink Stamper Everyday Life Stamp set

Stickles, chalk, gems and doodles with my gel pen.