Star and Stripes Layout - First 4th

 Hello everyone.  I am back today with a layout for Avaleigh's first Independence Day!  My friend Amy would be most annoyed with me for pre-scrapping this layout, she thinks we should wait until after events happen before creating the layouts.  But really, we KNOW it is Avaliegh's first July 4th.  And we KNOW what she will be wearing.  So I went for it!

This layout is my Bitten By the Bug 2 post for this week.  My wonderful design team sister Michelle selected this week's Cricut challenge cuts - Stars and Stripes using a Banner or Flag on your project for this July 4th week.  

I used two Cricut cartridges on this layout:  Family Album and Independence Day.  I started with a 12 x 12 inch layout from Family Album, though of course I had to "Susan-ize" the layout to make it my own.  I also added second page to the layout.  

My banner is a bit different that the normal July 4th banner - I used the heart banner and added it above my title.   I chose coordinating cuts from Independence Day to use as highlights on the layout - the large Uncle Sam's hat, the red, white, and blue ribbon, and the firecracker.  

I chose my card stock colors based on a summer outfit I purchased for Avaleigh.  Below is a not great photo of her being carried my her mama.  The outfit does not have the usual navy blue, but a softer blue that looks sweet with the red and white star fabric.  The bloomer shorts are also made from the red and white star fabric.  It is such cute outfit on her that I requested for her to wear it on the 4th for her first Independence Day photos.  

The title of my layout is a little memento of a phase Avaleigh is currently going through.  She hates to take naps.  But she NEEDS naps. 

 

These last two photographs are close ups of the two pages.  I confess that the most difficult part of these pages was deciding on a background color. 

I hope that you get some time this week to scrap (or pre-scrap) your July 4th layouts.  If not, how about making a banner.  Either way, we would love to see what you are working on that includes a banner or a flag this week.  Just read the challenge rules on the BBTB2 sidebar, then link your project under this week's challenge at the Bitten By the Bug 2 blog.

I want to remind you again that we have a Design Team call going at Bitten by the Bug 2.  Submit three of your best projects to us at bbtb2dtcall@gmail.com.  You have until July 15th to get your entries in to us.  We are looking for talented paper crafters and sweet crafters to join our team!!

Paper Doll Box Card - You're a doll!

Hello friends.  I mentioned on Wednesday that I would have a new project to share today and this is it:  A Paper Doll Box Card!  Now I am going to confess that I saw a really cute box card posted in one of the Cricut facebook groups of which I am a member.  Someone had used vintage print and cut paper dolls and made a simply darling box card with them.  I do not pretend to come even close to that fabulous project, but it did inspire me to attempt my own paper doll box card.

I started by search Google images for vintage paper dolls.  I found several sets that I liked and downloaded two or three of those doll sets.  Using my Cricut Explore and Design Space, I sized the paper doll images and did a print and cut.  

For my basic box I used my favorite go-to box - one of the Thanksgiving Boxes from SVGcuts.com.  I love the shape of the box and the side fold down flaps that can be embellished so many different ways.  I cut the basic box in white, then I cut panel covers in an aqua rose print and a tiny pink rose print.  

Instead of going with the usual shape of the background on this box, I used edit features in Design Space to turn the door from the Christmas cartridge into a large window.  I added a window treatment using pop dots and rosette embellishments.  And because our little paper dolls must be celebrating some event, I added the pink and aqua pennant hanging over the window using pop dots.

For the decorative fold down flap, I cut decorative panels in the same aqua rosebud print.  I added a strip of cotton lace to the top edge as well as rose arrangements to the curved edges. I added a single round pop dot behind each decorative panel so that they would stay folded down, but still have some dimension.  

The bottom front of the box has an iron gate cut with Ornamental Iron.  I added a rose and the fun "You're a doll!" banner using pop dots.  I let the Cricut Explore write my sentiment for me so I did not even have to worry about stamp placement.

I used the two insert pieces that came with the SVG file.  I used scissors and trimmed away most of the stand up area to make the pieces small enough for the doll and her clothes and toys.  Her hats were a bit of a challenge, but I finally put dots of glue on the lower edges of the hats and attached them to the should tabs on her coat and dress.

I spent several days designing my Paper Doll Card Box, even after seeing the spectacular original paper doll box on facebook.  I kept tweaking the design to get something that was more original (the window) so that I did not just copy someone else's project.  In the end I am very happy with the box.  My sweet neighbor Courtney and her daughter came by last night and both loved the card in real life.

Thank you to whomever created the original paper doll box.  You inspired me and I had such fun making this box card!!

Firing Up the Grill for Dad

Hello everyone.  Like so many other paper crafters, I made a grill card for Doug for Father's Day.  We actually had a bit of a "grill" theme going on:  Aaron grilled steaks for the family for dinner, I made a Griller Man Jib-Jab e-card video and posted it to facebook wishing Doug a happy father's day, and then I made him this grill card.

As I said above, there were a lot of grill shaped box cards out there this Father's Day, but I made Doug's card a bit different from the others.  I would LOVE to tell you where I found the basic grill cut, and I am fairly certain that someone in my Cricut Design Space Lover's facebook group shared the grill box, but I honestly do not remember who.  Any way, I took their already fabulous grill box and added additional details like those on the box grill cards.

Using Cricut cartridges I added a platter, three steaks, two flames, a cooking fork, and a pint of beer to the grill.  I also used a Close To My Heart stamp set and added the the DAD tag and the word GRILLER to the front of the card.

But what makes this card, IMO, better than the box cards, is that it opens up and hold a full back of Lindt dark chocolate truffles!  How cool is that?  

And best of all, those paper flames DO NOT melt the chocolate inside the grill!!  Doug really liked his griller card, as did our children.  My neighbor across the street saw it sitting in our house and loved it too.  So yay!  It was a HOT hit!!!

I have been working on a another box card I hope to share on Friday.  It is a semi scrap-lifted project that I had to adjust and add my own touches to... Not to mention I had to design from scratch. Hopefully I will have the box ready to post later this week.  

In the meantime, do not forget to go by Bitten By The Bug 2 and check out the food projects the design team shared on Monday!!!

You're BERRY Special Card

Hello everyone.  I am back with another fun Bitten By the Bug 2 Cricut challenge.  Our fabulously talented Design Team sister (and all around wonderful person), Melanie, selected this week's Cricut Cut challenge:  Food!  This week you have to use a Cricut cut food item on your project. How easy and how fun is that?   

I decided to use this cute bowl of strawberries from the Simply Sweet cartridge for my card.  I realized when cutting this bowl that I had never used this cut before!  Well this is such a cute bowl of berries I just fell in love with it.  

I used a lone strawberry to embellish the card which was cut from the Preserves cartridge.  I have used this berry cut before and I like it because it has the little flower attached.  I also used a red chevron Close to My Heart washi tape and a Close to My Heart berry stamp sentiment.  

Be sure to go by the Bitten by the Bug 2 blog and check out the great food projects the design team created for this week's challenge.  We have such wonderful group of talented designers and sweet ladies.  I feel so fortunate to be part of the group!!

I want to remind you again that we have a Design Team call going at Bitten by the Bug 2.  Submit three of your best projects to us at bbtb2dtcall@gmail.com.  You have until July 15th to get your entries in to us.  We are looking for talented paper crafters and sweet crafters to join our team!!

Anna Griffin Birthday Card

 Hello everyone.  I mentioned on Monday that I would be sharing a birthday card I made last weekend.  The card is for my friend Ruth.  I will be giving the card to Ruth today when she, my mom, and I have lunch.

Ruth would probably have preferred a card with a stamped bear.  This card is a bit fussy for Ruth. But I have wanted to make this card for sometime, so like it not, this is Ruth's Birthday card.

I used Anna Griffin's Garden Cards and Embellishments cartridge to make this card.  Actually there is a cut file for the card in the Design Space Cards section.  I did have to add the banner pieces and the inside section to the card, but otherwise it was already designed for me.

I used a cream print Anna Griffin card stock for the base card and the additional flower bloom cuts. The additional peachy/pink  and green card stock were made by Close To My Heart.

One of the things I am really learning to love about my Cricut Explore is it's writing capabilities.  I love that I can select a font, size, and color and Explore does all of the work.  It makes for quick personalized messages in cards.  Above is my inside sentiment.  On the back of the card I added the phrase - This is not just a card, it is also a hug!  Again, it is super easy to add text with the Cricut Explore.

Do not forget that we have a Design Team call going at Bitten by the Bug 2.  My friend Melanie Brown and I are sharing the team leader responsibilities and would love to have you join us.  Bitten By the Bug 2 is the original Cricut challenge blog.  We have a wonderful team of designers that we value greatly.  To try out, send your three best projects to bbtb3dtcall@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope to be back later in the week with another project to share.

Summer Lobster Boil Card

Hello everyone! Now that I am back on the Bitten By The Bug 2 Design Team (following the shortest retirement in history), I have a new project to share.  Today is National Lobster Day, and coincidentally, Lobster is our Cricut Challenge Cut this week.  My sweet and talented DT sister, Maureen, is hosting this fun challenge.

I ADORE lobster!  As a child my mother used to order lobster when she was dining out at business dinners with my dad and my uncle.  Since this happened prior to the Carter Administration (yes, I am old!), the family was also a business write-off.  Consequently it was cheaper for my brother and I to go along than to stay home with a baby sitter.  My mom began developing my palate early, offering me bites of her lobster from a very early age.  I was hooked by the time I was in elementary school!

As I thought about the Lobster Challenge I decided to create a Lobster Boil themed box card. Because what is more fun that inviting over friends and enjoying a lobster boil on a warm summer evening? (Of course in Aiken that is a very hot summer evening)!  I decided to try out a new box card and I used Narelle Darley's card that she shared in the facebook group "Cricut Lover's Guide to Design Space." The card file cuts wonderfully and includes the panel cover cuts as well as the box and the insert.  The only problem I encountered was I did not check the measurements and "assumed" this box was as large as my other "go to" box card.  As it is smaller, all of my box elements are a bit too large.

I am not sure if you are ready for this, but here goes:  in addition to Narelle's box file, I used seven (7!!) Cricut cartridges to make this card.  The cartridges and cuts are:

• Life's A Beach - Anchor and Life Preserver
• Pack Your Bags - The Lobsters
• Handyman - Bucket
• From My Kitchen - Pot
• Just Because Cards - Glass of Lemonade
• Savory - Lemonade Pitcher and the Lemons
• Block Party - The Grill Tools

I used the add text feature in Design Space and used a Cricut pen to write the "It's about to get HOT in here..." sentiment on the front panel.

I hope that you might join us in this week's Lobster Challenge.  I am so impressed by the great Lobster projects created by the Design Team!!  Please go by Bitten by the Bug 2 and check out their great projects.  Check the challenge rules on the sidebar then join us and share your Lobster project in the link up section under the Lobster post.

Also please remember that we currently have a Design Team Call going for Bitten by the Bug 2.  We would love to have you join our design team! Submit your three best projects to bbtb2dtcall@gmail.com by July 15th.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I actually made a second card today and look forward to sharing that with you this week!!

Design Team Call

Hello everyone.  Now that things are back to normal at BBTB2, we have decided to do a Design Team call and include more wonderful designers on our fabulous team.  

• Do you love paper crafting and using your Cricut? 
• Would you like to join the ORIGINAL Circut Challenge blog?

Let me tell you a bit about the the team and what is expected:

• Our team is all about TEAM.  We share some of the responsibilities of the team, taking turns choosing the weekly cut and hosting the weekly blog posts. 
• We have a private facebook group where we share information and the blog and sometimes, about ourselves.  We also post tutorials and helpful links.
• We have two blogs, the main BBTB2 blog, and a Designer's only blog where we post the upcoming challenges.
• We like for our designer's to post projects 3 out of 4 weeks per month, though we understand family issues and life can interfere with that plan.
• We like for our members to leave comments on the blogs of those who participate in our challenges.

If you would like to become part of a supportive design team and share your creativity publicly, please submit three of your Cricut cut projects to bbtb2dtcall@gmail.com by July 15th.  We would love to have you join our team!!

As Quickly as Things Change They Change Again!

Hello everyone.  This is my latest post over at BBTB2.  Yes, truly, I am posting at BBTB2 again.  I bet you did not see that coming.... I know I DID NOT see it coming.  But I do have a sense of peace and excitement about the changes.

Hey there, Susan here, remember me?  Yes, I did give up the Bitten By the Bug 2 blog less than two weeks ago.  Well as quickly as things change, they change again!

It seems that I am back from a mini-retirement, with a new co-leader, to keep the blog and the Design Team going.  

Who is this new co-leader you ask?  None other than our lovely, talented, and amazing Melanie Brown!!  Melanie left the Design Team with me, but when I boomeranged back I asked Melanie to boomerang back with me, and to become a co-leader.  After some serious begging she agreed - mostly because she is a honey!

One of the things I love most about Bitten By the Bug 2, aside from our devotion to the Cricut, is that the blog really is a team effort. Everyone selects challenge and hosts challenges.  Someone is in charge of our birthday calendar.  We discuss any changes.  And I feel like we support one another.  I know the team supported me when I had my mini-retirement and I so appreciated their efforts.

I hope that you will excuse our burp in leadership and direction (just view it as a two week vacation) and will continue to join us as we move forward.  So go crank up those Cricut machines and let's get cutting!!!

This means that yes, I will be back to posting on my blog more often.  It means yes, I am feeling so much better. There are a few positive and exciting opportunities on the horizon that I look forward to sharing.

Quarter-foil Vinyl on My Explore

Hello everyone.  I am so wishing I had photographed the Maroon and Gold Graduation card I made this last week.  However, there was the rush out the door to the graduation party and no photos were taken.  Boo.

I do have a few bad photos of my Cricut Explore machine.  Some time ago I mentioned in a blog post that I had decorated my Explore.  I purchased pink Quarter-foil vinyl from an Etsy shop and I used the Explore Canvas templates in Design Space.

Using geometric shapes available on several Cricut cartridges, I welded pieces together to create the shape of the Explore panels.  I detached circle cuts for the knobs and buttons on the machine.  I still have not decided what to do on the top middle section, whether I should leave the vinyl alone or if I should remove it, or if I should add something over the vinyl.  I am completely open to suggestions on this topic.  If you have an idea, please let me know!!!