Something a Little Different...a game!

Happy Friday!  Today is the last day of my week of Guest Designing over at the Everyday Cricut blog.  It has been a lot of fun and I want to thank Joy and Melanie again for asking me to be their Guest Designer this week.

If you have just arrived here from the Everyday Cricut blog welcome!  If you are visiting my blog for the first time, I hope you will find lots of interesting and helpful information.  At the top of the right column you can click to subscribe by email or follow this blog if you want to keep up with my projects and tutorials. It has been a very busy week and I have many more Valentine's projects that I am working on - I hope you will continue to visit my blog to see them in the coming weeks.

Today on the Everyday Cricut blog I have posted my Tic Tac Toe game project.  This was easy and fun to do - the key ingredient is the "make it yours" Vintage Frames from Creative Charms. 
You can read all about the game and how I made it HERE.

I was asked to show how to make the second style of candy holders I posted a few days ago on the Everyday Cricut blog.  I have made a lot of different candy holders for table favors or little gifts.  This is one of the easiest styles to make.  You can see step by step on a slightly different set of favors HERE and I thought I'd also show you one more time, using this as the example.

This is the heart I chose.  There is a blackout version which I could use for the base and to layer below this heart.

Here is the screen shot of my design.  I simply welded the heart shapes to a rectangle to create a shaped base.  You could just cut a rectangle and glue on the toppers if you didn't have access to Design Studio.

The welded cut is centered and scored to create a one inch base.  Score at 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 and be sure that your cut is centered so it will line up.

I cut the hearts for layering with Design Studio.  This allowed me to "nestle" them together as you can see above.  I may use this offcut for something!

The heart layers are cut from that red fuzzy contact paper again.  They came out beautifully with multi cut 2 times and blade depth 4 pressure 4.

I embossed the white heart backgrounds with the "Love Language" Cuttlebug folder - I love the tiny hearts!  Here you can see what a difference it makes!

This candy holder also works with a small treat bag (3 x 4), and I needed to trim it a bit from the top to make it fit comfortably.

You can check the fit before assembling.  I didn't fill the bag with candy (cruise diet, remember!) but I prepared it to take some candy if I decide to give this token to someone.

 

I cut two hearts layers but you really only need one for the front of the candy holder.   I can save this one to use on a card.

I added the layers to the base of the holder and made sure that the tops and the plastic bag were aligned.

Then I used the Cropadile to punch through all of the layers at once.

I made sure the hole would be in the fuzzy red area.

There is room on the heart to add individual names if you want to use these for place cards.  I used a Gradient Gem Brad from Creative Charms to hold the bag and the cover together.  Don't forget to visit the Creative Charms Blog and sign up as a follower - they are having a great giveaway this week.  You need to leave a comment on the post linked HERE.  Tell them Diane sent you!

 This is how it looks on the back - the brad is not very noticeable on the bold patterned paper.  If you were giving this to a crafting friend, the brad could be saved by your friend to use on another project.

You can adapt this basic design for any season or occasion - these are fun to make and also quick and easy!

I tried to answer most of the questions that have come my way about this week's projects on the post today on Everyday Cricut HERE.  I have had a crazy schedule but I will get the videos and tutorials that were requested finished and posted as soon as possible.

Be sure to check in later today or tomorrow to find out about a couple of fun things - if you liked this week's projects you won't want to miss one of them!

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My Fuzzy Valentine

(This post originally appeared on the Everyday Cricut blog where I was the Guest Designer for the week of January 10-14, 2011)

Hi, it's Diane from Capadia Designs and I am happy to be here with you this week.  I am honored that Joy and Melanie asked me to return for a second Guest Designer week.  I was Guest Designer for the week of March 8 - 12 in 2010.  Last time I did a lot of Easter  projects, however, for the next week it will be all Valentine's Day Projects.  There is only about a month to go before Valentine's Day so it is time to get busy with all of those sweet and special cards, candy holders and other lovable projects!

I decided to try cutting some different types of materials for some of my projects this week.  Quite a while ago I bought some Con-Tact paper at our local 5 & 10.  I just grabbed the red color in a hurry and paid for it.  Later I realized that I had purchased fuzzy, felt-like contact paper.  This is the back of the paper (the wrapper is long gone).  It is called "Ultra Covering" if you want to try to find some.

It occurred to me that it might be a good way to have my letters and shapes look "flocked" with out a lot of mess so I experimented with cutting the paper.  I normally cut vinyl at medium speed, medium pressure and blade depth 4.  This creates a "kiss cut" where the vinyl is cut and the backing stays intact.  In this case, the material is much thicker and I thought it would be best to try to cut through the backing as well.  After some experimentation I found that doing a 2 times multi-cut with the pressure at 4 and the blade at 5 produced a consistently clean cut.  (You may have to experiment a bit to find the ideal settings for your machine).

You can hardly tell if the cut has worked when the mat is still in the machine since the thickness of the material hides the cut lines.  If you look very carefully at the photo above, you might be able to see a few places where the cuts show.

 By using multi-cut 2 times, I was able to get a very clean cut that lifted from the mat easily.

 In one of the first attempts, the blade kept snagging in one place on my heart design.  I think this was due to the pressure being set at 6 - just a bit too high.

I didn't think I could cut a perfect mirror image of the curve, however, I was able to trim both sides of the heart evenly so these cuts can still be used.

The heart I used is from the Wedding cartridge. This is a solutions cartridge and I believe it has been discontinued.  If you can find it, I would highly recommend picking it up.  There are lots of lovely images and some nice favor boxes, including a couple of pillow boxes.

I used Design Studio to help me set up the cut to use the least amount of material.  In the screen shot above you can see that when you enter two hearts directly from the keypad they take up more room than they did when I rotated each heart and slid them together on the mat.  I like being able to see how the items would cut straight from the cartridge and then to see how I can improve on the cut with Design Studio.

I also always use Design Studio to help me figure out the right size for the cuts on my cards.  I set up guideline card blanks and then I can see exactly how big to make each element for the card.  It also helps me to decide whether to make a horizontal or a vertical card.  I knew I didn't want to cut the "Sweetheart" word any smaller than 1 1/2 inches to keep the lines of the letters from becoming too thin.  I could see that  the word would not fit at this size on a vertical A2 card.

 Here is the keypad screen shot showing the location of the "Sweetheart" cut.

I thought the "Conversations" Cuttlebug folder would be perfect to emboss the background.  This is a five by seven inch folder so I was able to selectively place my card layer (cut at 4 x 5 1/4 inches) to have the embossing include the words on the hearts that I preferred to show.  I used 140 lb watercolor paper to get a lovely thick embossed layer.

When I was ready to add the word to the card, it was easy to peel off the backing because this material is much thicker than vinyl.

I used the section I peeled off to check the placement one more time since the sticky backed material would not be easy to move once I got it on the card.

Here is a close view of the fuzzy word on the card front.  I like all of the texture from the embossing and the dimensional word.

I used my Creative Memories Multi Purpose tool to help guide the sticky cuts into position.  The cut can be moved a bit if you are careful not to push it down firmly.

The finishing touch was this red faceted gem which is one of the Vintage Jewels from Creative Charms.

Here is the final card.  The red card base is "Pure Poppy" from Papertrey Ink.  I wish you could touch it to feel the thick embossed layer and the fuzzy heart and word!

Here is another Valentine's card in a much more traditional style.  I cut the sentiment from glitter cardstock.  You can read all about this card on my blog, Capadia Designs, at THIS POST.

Don't forget to leave a comment to have a chance for the Country Life cartridge.  I look forward to sharing a sweet project with you tomorrow!

Diane


Be sure and check out Joy's and Melanie's personal blogs for more creative goodness at Obsessed with Scrapbooking and Courtney Lane Designs! Have a great day!
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Guest Designing at Everyday Cricut

I have mentioned a few times that I have been working on a lot of projects for Valentine's Day.  I have also mentioned that I'll be a Guest Designer next week, but I haven't told you where.  I am happy to tell you today that Joy and Melanie at Everyday Cricut have asked me back for another week of Guest Designer posts.  I am excited to share the projects I have designed and I am still busy turning them from design files into actual projects.  The photo above is a tiny sneak peek at something I am using - to find out more you will have to be sure to check out the Everyday Cricut blog starting tomorrow, Monday, January 10th.

We had some of our neighbors over for the last of the holiday parties today.  There was a big storm predicted but it didn't come our way - yet...  One good thing about a party in the neighborhood is that everyone can walk (it is a very small neighborhood!).  We keep our holiday decorations up well into January - sometimes even into February.  It is fun to enjoy them when everything else has gone back to normal.

We have a lot of young families on the street and I am starting to feel like one of the "old ladies" on the street!  It really is nice to see all of the little children around again - the last batch grew up and went off to college and beyond.

Our youngest son and his girlfriend made another great chocolate cake.  They frost the cake by cutting a candy car into small pieces and sitting them on the cake to melt.

 Sometimes the chocolate "needs" a little help to be spread evenly on the cake.  Half the fun is licking your fingers after you finish!  It does make a delicious topping.

Don't forget that Creative Charms has a chance for you to win a great gift this week.  The prize is a free Kit of the Month and all you have to do is to post on their Facebook Page about how much you like this month's kit and you will be entered.  The deadline is Sunday at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

Be sure to also check out the Creative Charms Blog for some great ideas on how to use the Kit and Deal of the month.

I'll be busy finishing up and taking photos tomorrow.  I have used a lot of different cartridges and some supplies that are a bit unusual, so I hope you will enjoy the things I have made.

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Exciting News!

I am so happy that I can now "officially" tell you all that I will be one of the Guest Designers for Peachy Keen Stamps in 2011.  I'll be working with their stamps and posting on the Peachy Keen blog for a week at the end of June.

Here is the full list of Guest Designers (sorry, I had to make it small to fit the space).  There is a wealth of inspiration to be found on all of these blogs.  Some are familiar to me and some are new so I will be spending some time checking out my fellow Guest Designers over the next couple of weeks.  I hope that you will also find time to visit them and see their work.

Week	Name	Blog
01/10 - 01/14	Theresa	http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com
01/17 - 01/21	Jessica M.	www.KinderStampO.com
01/24 - 01/28	Erika	www.cricutlove1.blogspot.com
01/31 - 02/04	Joy	http://www.joyslife.com
02/07 - 02/11	DoBea	http://dobeaalberts.blogspot.com
02/14 - 02/18	Kimmy	http://scrappinwithkimmy.blogspot.com
02/21 - 02/25	Cindy	www.mrsbscraftroom.blogspot.com
02/28 - 03/04	Raven	www.love4stamps.blogspot.com
03/07 - 03/11	Tifany	http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com
03/14 - 03/18	Saundra	http://www.luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com/
03/21 - 03/25	Stephanie	www.stephcreates.blogspot.com
03/28 - 04/01	Mandy	http://stamping4u.blogspot.com/
04/04 - 04/18	Liz M.	www.lizspaperloft.blogspot.com
04/11 - 04/15	Sandra	http://www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/
04/18 - 04/22	Kristal	www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com
04/25 - 04/29	Courtney	http://CourtsCrafts.blogspot.com
05/02 - 05/16	Alison	http://www.stretchnbubbles2.blogspot.com/
05/09 - 05/13	Abby	www.scrapbookaholicbyabby.com
05/16 - 05/20	Irit	http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/
05/23 - 05/27	Jessica U.	http://www.denimglittercreations.com/
05/30 - 06/03	Iris	http://cocoacards.blogspot.com/
06/06 - 06/10	Liz N.	http://skittles-and-scrapbooks.blogspot.com
06/13 - 06/17	Linda L.	http://cardsbylinda.blogspot.com
06/20 - 06/24	Ellen	http://lifeatwalnuthill.blogspot.com/
06/27 - 07/01	Diane	http://capadiadesigns.blogspot.com/
07/11 - 07/15	Amy	http://www.scrappingmommy.com
07/18 - 07/22	Lauren B.	www.laurenscreative.com
07/25 - 07/29	Cathryn	http://inthepinkcathryn.blogspot.com
08/01 - 08/05	Michelle	www.scrappinwithmybug.com
08/08 - 08/12	Gaby	http://www.gabycreates.com
08/15 - 08/19	Linda K.	www.krazyquilling.com
08/22 - 08/26	Glorajean	http://glorascrafts.blogspot.com/
08/29 - 09/02	Sara	http://snugasabugdesigns.blogspot.com/
09/05 - 09/09	Cristina	http://www.craftingwithcristina.com
09/12 - 09/16	Lauren D.	http://laurenscraps.blogspot.com/
09/19 - 09/23	Jane	http://polkadotgypsy.blogspot.com/
09/26 - 09/30	Ashley	http://myscrappinpalace.blogspot.com/
10/03 - 10/07	Jessica K.	http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com
10/10 -10/14	Kristin	http://lilsweetpeasplace.blogspot.com/
10/17 - 10/21	Heather	http://housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com/
10/24 - 10/28	Jamie	http://jamie-thegreenefamily.blogspot.com/
10/31 - 11/04	Piali	http://touchofcreation.blogspot.com/
11/07 - 11/11	Stacy	http://www.mycraftingtime.com/
11/14 - 11/18	Cathy	www.sniptuck.blogspot.com
11/28 - 12/02	Julie	http://juliescraftyspot.blogspot.com/
12/05 - 12/09	Lynda	http://positive-force.blogspot.com/

I have a few more surprises coming up - next year will be a very busy year!

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Lovely Leftovers made into cards

Today is my third day as Guest Designer for the Everyday Cricut blog.  If you haven't already seen today's post you can find it at this LINK.  The week is going by quickly and I have been very busy keeping up with two posts each day!

This photo shows how I trimmed up the sheet of Core'dinations gemstone cardstock I used for the cards I shared on Monday (shown in the photo below).

I have promised that I will show you ways to use up nearly all of the cardstock.  I made the four cards you can see at the top of this post and I want to share a few details and tips for making the cards. 

The first card could be used as a note card or you could add a sentiment along one of the horizontal lines.

I used three of the two inch sections that I trimmed off below the egg cuts on the original 12 x 12 sheet of paper.  I also saved the decorative cut outs from the egg with the overall design.  The narrow strips are 1/4 inch wide.  I trimmed them from the edges of the two inch strips to create three 1 3/4 inch sections to fit along the width of an A2 card with a bit of a border.

Since the strips were each trimmed individually, they were not exactly the same length so I cut all three at once to trim the excess and make them line up evenly.  The final length of the strips is about 3 3/4 inches.

To center the placement on the card front I used my layout ruler.  This is one of the tools I reach for many times each day.  It has a centering feature so you can create even spacing on a card or layout.  These rulers can be found at an art supply store.

Once I found the center and positioned my pink strip to fit the length, I could "eyeball" the position of the strip along the height of the card front.

I adhered all three sections with my ATG gun.  This cardstock is thick and mine has a bit of a tendency to curl so don't skimp on the adhesive.

I space the three skinny strips evenly in an alternating pattern.  Foam squares for the backs of the flowers give the card a little pop!

Contrasting centers (also from the egg offcuts) add the last detail.

For the pink egg "Frame" I found this sheet of cardstock from the DCWV Sweet stack.  I tend to buy these stacks but rarely  use them to create a page layout.  I liked the look of the paisley swirl and eyelet edging through the egg shaped opening.

I cut a strip of the cardstock at 3 3/4 inches and then used my layout ruler again to figure out where to trim away the base to make the pattern appear in the position I wanted.

I added a few green dots for the centers of the flowers.  For tiny dots like these, it is easiest to put a dot of adhesive on the flower center and then drop the dot onto the adhesive.  I cut the "thanks" from  the pink gemstone cardstock with my Cuttlebug A2 Combo embossing and die set "With Gratitude."

I used this glittered cardstock, also from the DCWV Sweet stack for the third card.  The strawberries are so cheerful!

I cut the sentiment from the green gemstone cardstock with my Cuttlebug A2 Combo embossing and die set "Everyday Greetings."  The green did not show up well against the strawberry pattern so I added a 1 1/2 inch punched circle from the pink scraps and turned it so the plain back side is facing up.  The circle is raised on a foam square for dimension.

Tiny pink dots are added to the centers of the green flowers.

The last card is also created by color blocking.  The yellow strip is 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches.  The purple, orange and pink sections are 1 1/2 x 2 inches.  The green is the background is from the same sheet that I used for the "thanks" card and is cut at 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Flowers on foam squares and a green butterfly from Creative Charms finish the card.  A sentiment could be added at the lower right corner.

It really is a lot of  fun to play with your scraps and see what you can make with all of the bits and pieces (and the occasional additional piece or two from your stash). 

This lace border card is one that I created in Design Studio using only the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  I gave a step by step lesson on how to create the file in my post on the Everyday Cricut blog - here is a LINK to the post.  The link to download the file is below - but do have a try at making it yourself by following my directions.  I'd love to see the cards you create if you use this idea.

Lace Border A2 Card