My first altered item

For my very first design team assignment for Scrapbooking by Design, I had to alter an item chosen by the owner Nicole.

For me, she chose this clock purchased at a thrift store.

Don't worry this clock was not an antique, in fact it is plastic and non-working.

I couldn't help myself but make a Halloween creation! I just thought the shape of the clock reminded me of an old scary haunted house.

The first thing I did was spray paint the clock black with a matte decor paint. I didn't worry about doing a perfect job knowing it would be covered in paper. I mostly used the Happy Hauntings and October 31st Cricut cartridges for this project. The door is from the Wild Card Cricut cartridge. Some things I just cut out on my own, like for instance the chimney. Everything is inked and chalked to look spooky and old. I embossed the brown paper around the house to look like wood just using my scoring blade every half inch. The tree is a fabulous cut from the Happy Hauntings cartridge. I cut out the two layers twice to stiffen up the cardstock and keep it standing.

I love these two papers on the back. One is by Authentique and the other (the orange background one) is by Echo Park. I added some extras Cricut cuts to the scene and also some Glossy Accents to them as well.

I think I can create a cool display with this "clock" on my mantel for Halloween!

Music challenge

Isn't it funny how challenges can be issued right when you need them? This week at Fantabulous Cricut, the challenge is a music one. Well, on Thursday, my MIL generously gave us (as in her grandchildren) her piano.

This is my card for her. I'm sorry the photo is a bit dark but the piano is slathered in shiny Glossy Accents and not very camera flash friendly.

All cuts on this card are from the Twinkle Toes Cricut cartridge. The sentiment is a rub on and there are many layers of pop dots. The embossing is done with the Tim Holtz Sheet Music folder and Core'dinations paper.

Two cards

Just playing with my Cuttlebug and Core'dinations paper.

Previously posted Back to School layouts

I'm posting these to give me some mojo to scrap "Back to School 2011"!

Smurf house shape card

Our daughter is still crazy about the Smurfs. So when I saw a Smurf house invitation last month I knew I should try to make one for her.

The door opens on this card so my daughter can write a message. The mushroom is from the Simply Charmed Cricut cartridge and everything thing else was created by me on my Gypsy. I made the window, window frame, door, chimney and spots all with the George cartridge!
Have a smurfy day!

Cuttlebug All-In-One

I have been playing lately with this new Cuttlebug system called the All-In-One Folders. With this system, you can arrange the placement of the embossing folders by clicking them into a main base. I borrowed a set from Scrapbooking by Design so I could do a free make and take with them.



This is the main base that you must purchase so you can click in the "customizable" folders. (Think Battleship) When using this system you do not need your A plate just your two Bs.



This is the set I played with and made this:



I loved this little folder. They call the pieces you click in coins.



I liked it so much that for the make in take we made monogrammed post it note covers.

At first I had some trouble with these folders. The paper seemed to be creasing. I practiced some more and did some online research.

These are Tracey's Tips for the Cuttlebug All-In-One.

1. There are less creases if you trim your paper to the size of your folder design.
2. Use paper that is a bit thicker, such as Core'dinations or Bazzill.
3. If you are still getting wrinkled projects, place a Kleenex on top of the paper. The embossing will not be as deep but the paper will not be cut either. Just make sure to keep the Kleenex fold out of the way.