I went Mini!!!

Designed by Randi Fien

I was sooo excited to see Taraleigh's mini album she made with the March kit that I decided to make one of my own! Here is the mini I made for my son's preschool end of the year program. I used the Graphically Speaking cartridge to cut the shape of my album.

I had a lot of fun embellishing this mini! I also had fun using the cricut! The tree shape on the cover came from the Simply Charmed cartridge. It was the first time I actually played with the "layering" technique! The birdcage shape was from the Songbird cartridge. I was kinda bummed that it got covered by the picture so I will be sure to use that shape again somewhere else!  As you can see I was able to get a lot of use out of my paper and embellishments as well as be able to scrap ALL the fun moments I captured in pictures! Start to finish this project took me about 2 hours...and it took would have been shorter if I could make decisions faster!!!

If you are inspired to make a mini album either for yourself or as a gift...let us know! We will be happy to post them for all to see!

Getting more out of your Cricut cartridges

Getting more out of your Cricut cartridges


One of our scrappy resolutions for 2011 was to use our Cricut machines more.  So... here we are with an update.  We are using it more, but we feel that we are still not using it to is full capabilities.  We would like to share with you this tip in hopes that you too will get more use out of the Cricut center at our crops.

When searching for that "just right" image don't overlook themed Cricut cartridges when it is not an obvious choice.  There just might be an image that would work perfect for your layout with just a bit of imagination. 

Here are some ideas for how to use images from the Toy Story cartridges for things other than the obvious Toy Story images.
1.  Use the 'retro' photo frame for a 50's themed layout.  
2.  Use the space photo frame for a science fair project layout or the plant image would work too!
3.  The Martians can be used to for a layout with a title my kids are "out of this world"
4.  Use the sheep image for a sleeping baby layout
5.  Going to a horse or rodeo show? There is a horse shoe that would make a great embellishment.
6.  For all you hunters out there, there is a bulls eye! 
7.  Taking a trip to the southwest? There is a cactus images. 
8.  Use the rocket image for a boy themed layout.   
9.  Use the western boots for a cowboy themed party
10. and what's not to love about the titles... "Let's play". 

We are excited to added 2 new cricut cartridges to our library. 

• Toy Story
• Sesame Street Friends

What image will you cut next?!!!

Add some texture

Memories Like These

Designed by Amy Perkins

I love to add texture to my layouts!  Here I used the edge of my scissors and scrapped it against the edge of my paper to make it distressed (the 'Distrezz it all' tool by Zutter also works great too!).  After layering several patter paper I rolled the corner of some edges to bring the focus of the layout to the photos.  Corrugated cardboard adds another layer of texture.  In fact, the corrugated paper was a square diecut that I cut in half and added a piece to the bottom of the picture to make it look like it was a full piece that went behind the entire photo.  The tag "memories like this" doubles as my title and my journal tag that is tucked behind the photo.  You may remember these butterflies from a 2010 frugal tip we wrote about....(cutting popular images out of kraft paper using the Cricut machine).  I was so excited to have them already on hand, and they worked perfect for this layout! 

Techniques Used:

• Distressing edges of paper (scissors)
• Tearing and curling edges of paper
• Frugal tip; cut images from kraft paper and keep on hand for inexpensive embellishments
• 30 minute layout!

These Moments Are Special

These moments are special

Designed by Amy Perkins

 

Sometime we need a simple layout... We all say we have so much scrapbooking to do, and so I think sometime a simple layout is just what is need to get more accomplished and then spend time on more elaborate designs for other layouts.

Do you spend several minutes searching through your Thickers and letter stickers trying to find "the one" that matches??? Inking natural (chipboard) thickers (by American Crafts) is a great way to match your layouts and save time!

Sometimes all a layout needs is simple embellishments.  Don't forget to add buttons even if your layout is not "baby theme".  Buttons give your layouts dimension and a homespun feel.

 

I find a product that I love and tend to use it ALOT!  Here Amy used mini types to help create her title.  ... which I have already admitted to being addicted to them! I repeat what's not to love about them! The come in tons of colors and you get plenty of those coveted vowels!

Techniques or Tools Used:

• Simple embellishments
• Inking natural Thickers
• Tool: corner rounder used
• Cricut cartridge George & Basic Shapes

March Design Team Kit - Randi Fien

March Design Team Kit
Randi Fien

This kit really challenged me! I love the color combinations but for me I tend to use this palate for fall activities. These pictures were from my oldest son's 1st grade field trip in June of 2009. I had been holding on to the photos waiting for the perfect paper. This kit with paper from Crate Paper was worth waiting for! I love Crate Paper because it is ink frendly paper! I think I ink'd EVERYTHING!!!  I went simple on the embellishments and had fun with a big title.

Splitting photos across a double layout is one of my favorite techniques.

  

What's not to love about mini type???

Techniques Uses:

• Distress Inking
• Layering burlap/ribbon
• Spliting photos between two layouts
• Used mini types to complete long title

Check back soon...I have an extra project I made with this kit!

Design Team Creations-March

Mandie Pierce

I ALWAYS look forward to Mandie's monthly submissions because I know they will be jaw-droppingly great! This month was no exception! In fact this month she did SO MUCH with her kit. I am was once again stunned! You'd think by this time I would be used to what a wonderful designer she is... but I am still left standing in awe of her creatability!

I absolutely LOVE her attention to detail! She stepped up to the product challenge this month and ROCKED it!!! This month we challenged out designers to use floss in creative ways. Mandie not only used our floss but added some of her own! Check out her letter stickers... I bet she ink'd those too!

Here she used the floss to pleat down her ribbon AND embellish her star punch accents AND her journaling blocks! There really isn't a detail she doesn't miss! YEP! Even here to embellish the butterflies and buttons!

 

Anybody else ready to say Hi to Spring with this fun card??? We were so lucky to have Mandie attend our last crop and we were able to bask in her creativity.  She was nice enough to let me smell her paper and ink...I can tell you her scrapbook style is a true reflection of her beautiful smile and funky personality!  

Please tell Mandie what you love about her beauties!

March Design Team Creations~ Day 2

Taraleigh Gray

I have to say this month Taraleigh knocked it outta the park! (Baseball season is about to start, can't you tell) I am always amazed and slightly jealous with how much she can get accomplished with her supplies but this month takes the cake! First she hooked me with this stunning layout

I mean what's not to love?? I adore her stitching, ink'd flowers, journaling...um yeah just about everything

Then she totally knocked my socks off with this mini album!!! GASP!

I am so in love! I know she is super excited to show this mini off on her blog too! Check out her post of how she did it. She gives GREAT step-by-steps for those of us mini album challenged (me! me! me!)

Thank you Taraleigh! Crave more of her inspiring work check out her blog or let her know how much you love her work here!

March Design Team Creations~Day 1

Marcie Morgan

Here are some amazing creations from Marcie's crafty mind! I can't tell you how excited I was to see her page! I LOVE how she transformed her background from a flat 12x12 page to this beauty!!! She used the Cricut to cut out a background shape...and I am sure if you ask her pretty please she will tell you which fun cartridge she used ;)  A simple doodled edge gives it definition! I also LOVE her white accents! They really compliment the white dress in the photo! Way to go Marcie!

Marcie's cards make me want to make more handmade cards myself! I adore the big bow and check out the orange flowers...look like the white ones from above??? Yep she is super clever and spray ink'd the flowers to make them match.  I am totally dreaming of her sending me this card!

Thank you Marcie for another inspiring and motivating month of creations! Let Marcie know how much you love her work! And check out her blog for more of her talented layouts and cards!