BBTB Hello Kitty Happy Birthday Challenge

Happy Monday! This week's Bitten by the Bug challenge is the Happy Birthday cut from Hello Kitty Greetings. I welded the cut to the shadow of the cake from Wedding Solutions to make a shaped card then cut several times in regular to layer. I was excited to use my new birthday candles border punch form EK success until I decided each candle needed a jewel flame (37 of the little suckers LOL) I cut the candles in gold first and then in the contrasting colors and cut off the flames and glued together but because of the patterned paper I didn't think they showed up enough. NO tweezers either! AAARRRGGHH!!! The balloons are from my Boo for You die from GoKreate that I ran through the Cuttlebug and attached with wires.

It's a very happy cut so I kept the colors very bright and cheerful. The patterned paper is from the DCWV Spring Glitter stack. Using the outline feature was a bit of a challenge as you have to cut each color in the outline in order for the letters to fit appropriately but hey, isn't that what challenges are all about? At least next time I use this cut I've got a bunch of those skinny little outlines and letters already done. LOL My DT sisters came up with some adorable projects so please bop over to BBTB to check them out. We sure would love you to play along.

Sweet Easter Chicks from The Cutting Cafe

Here's a fun Easter card and mini egg carton topper I made in a jiffy using printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. Regina has designed all sorts of adorable Easter downloads that can really jump start your Easter projects and the best thing about them is you don't have to wait for shipping, they come right to your computer in no time. Easter IS the Sunday after next, after all!

The adorable chicks and eggs come with the Easter set 1 which also contains some darling Easter background word collages (11 images in all!). I printed on patterned paper and cut them out to pop for dimension. I used my Nesties for the ovals and scallops.

Got Eggs is from Easter Sentiments with 16 images including fun word circles. The Egg carton topper is the largest Nestie Labels 1 folded in half with an oval Nesties tent topper attached. Regina has been soooo busy at The Cutting Cafe with lots of new images so be sure to stop by soon!

And the Winner is!!!!!!

Okay the suspense was killing me so I didn't think I could relax ai the salon (and craft shop on the way home LOL) without announcing the BLOG CANDY WINNER! I also didn't put this in the original post, but all of my sweet followers got a second name in the hat so you had 2 chances to win. Are you feelling LUCKY?????!!!!!!! Drummmmm rollllllll please!!!!!

And the Winner is.......SMITA!

Congratulations SMITA!!!!!!!

Please email me at mailto:donnamundinger@gmail.com with your address.

Thank you all for participating and celebrating with me. HUGS, D

The Cuttlebug Spot Double Embossing Challenge and Last Day to Get Blog Candy

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot we were asked to use double embossing on our project which is simply running your cardstock through the Cuttlebug using one folder and then a second time using a different folder for a multi patterned effect. The first pattern flattens slightly but is still visible, but you can also ink the first embossing and it will stand out much more. I used Swiss Dots and Birds and Swirls. The adorable die cut is another Cottage Cutz which is available exclusively from The Scrapping Cottage. I must say I've fallen in love with these dies. I cut the shape out in both white and gold foil cardstock for a bit of a shadow effect and popped them for dimension.

The sentiment is a fabric label I got in the clearance bin at J's. I thought it would be appropriate for either a wedding or anniversary. The border is a peel off and of course I added gold adhesive beads. The border punch is a new one from EK Success. This technique is so much fun that I hope you come and play along at The Cuttlebug Spot and be sure to stop by and see all of the lovely examples created by my Design Team sisters.

I can't believe today is March 31 which means it's the LAST DAY to enter my BLOG CANDY giveaway in honor of my 100+ followers. I'm thrilled to see that that number has reached 161 since announcing the candy. Signing up to follow was not a requirement to enter so I'm honored that so many of you found my blog inspiring enough to do so. Thank you, thank you, thank, you! Click HERE to leave a comment if you haven't already done so. See you tomorrow! (I may be a little late in posting the winner because I have an early a.m. hair appointment and it takes HOURS to keep my hair this red. LOL

BBTB Doodlecharms Bunny

I can't believe it's Monday already but I bet you all know what that means. Yea! A new Bitten by the Bug challenge! Regina chose the bunny from Doodlecharm this week and instead of making a card I chose to do a freestanding Easter decoration. I got to thinking about those panoramic eggs and decided to make my bunny with a panoramic tummy. LOL I welded the shadow bunny head to an oval from George with a circle cut out the size of the packaging from some tape rolls. I cut her out of chipboard twice (for sturdiness) then covered her with card stock and cut it again on regular using the Bazzill Swiss dots paper. Layers were popped to add more dimension. The feet are made from the hearts from Accent Essentials and notched so the body could fit in and stand.

For the tummy scene I used the Doodlecharms basket and Zooballoo grass sized to fit in the opening. Brads from Queen & Co. and some punched "grass" and a butterfly completed the look.

I finished her both front and back since the tummy was see through so a pom pom tail was in order. I had intended to doodle around her but that Bazzill Swiss dots paper is used is quite textured and a bit waxy so I was afraid I'd screw it up after all of that work so I pulled out my trusty adhesive pearls to finish her off. all in all she's nearly a foot tall. this week the BBTB Design Team really outdid themselves with loads of FUN Easter projects so be sure to click HERE to see them all. Also don't forget you only have 2 more days to enter for my BLOG CANDY. Good luck!

Paper Blooms, Vintage and a Bit of Recycling

I was so lucky to win the gorgeous Blog Candy Leah offered over at Paper Blooms to launch her new challenge site and introduce her design team. Her beautiful hand crocheted blossoms and stick pins scream for something lovely and vintage and though I'm not very good at this style, I truly love it. I can't wait for the challenges to start April 1st. Her beautifull blooms are available on Etsy and are sooo reasonably priced. She even does custom orders if there's a particular color or style you'd like to have. Be SURE to check it out HERE. She better be getting her little fingers busy because I just bought 3 sets to add to the ones I won so I'll be ready for the challenge. LOL

The doll image is a postcard I received from a fabulous store in Pleasanton CA called American Harvest that features many artists who craft with a distinctly vintage style. This doll is by the very talented Nicole Sayer who just so happens to live in Pleasanton. I cut her out and matted her in chocolate and popped her on top of a crocheted doily I had recently uncovered in the attic. The pretty paper is Basic Grey. I used some ecru lace from J's across her bodice and the glitter heart and vintage keyhole are from Melissa Frances. After taking these pix I realized I had neglected to ink the edge of the chipboard heart. I popped it off and it's all fixed now (okay Shelly? LOL)

I've been Tagged

I've been tagged by my dear friend (and BBTB DT sister) Jen so here's my 6th picture in my 6th file. I can't believe it's not a cat picture. LOL This bouquet is from my garden and sat in the niche at the end of our entryway last May. Nothing makes me happier than fresh flowers in the house and if they're from my garden so much the better. We have more than 70 roses in our yard and I've been wondering how I ever kept up with them all until I remembered that I didn't get my Cricut until the beginning of May last year. LOL I'm afraid I'm a bit behind this Spring but we're already getting buds. WooHoo!

I think it will be fun to tag some of my newest blogging friends to get to know them better so that will be

Snowmanlover

Stephanie

Julie

Michelle (Shelley)

Grammy

Quinceyface

Thanks ladies for following my blog and be sure to comment HERE to be entered in my Blog Candy draw. Can't wait to see your pix. xxD

Also if you'd like to play along with this tagging business (I really think it's FUN!) my dear friend DeeDee is offering up some BLOG CANDY so check it out HERE.

The Cuttlebug Spot Spring Challenge

Spring is definitely in the air and this week at The Cuttlebug Spot it is no exception. My Spring themed card starts with my Cuttlebug Leafy Branches folder. I cut an oval in the center with my Nesties to allow the pretty Spring paper to show through and rimmed it with a scalloped frame also cut with my Nesties. The birdhouse, branch, leaves, and bird were all cut using my new Cottage Cutz die from The Scrapping Cottage. These fabulous dies are designed by and made exclusively for The Scrapping Cottage by Go Kreate. I used Tim Holtz distress embossing power on the branch and cut many leaves in both white and green and cuttled them individually with the Leafy Branches folder for texture. Some of the leaves were popped directly over the base embossing and some were just thrown in for interest. I also used a leaf shape for the bird's wing and cuttled it with one of the textures from the Cuttlebug Snow Fun emboss/die combo set. the butterfllies are a Martha Stewart punch, the corners are a punch from EK Success and the flowers are by Prima. Be sure to stop by The Cuttlebug Spot to see all of the fabulous creations the other Design Team members have done and we invite you to play along.

Spring has Sprung BBTB Challenge

Happy Monday! Is everybody out there feeling Springy? This week at Bitten by the Bug Regina chose the "Spring" cut from the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. I made a shaped card by welding my sentiment in Design Studio using my choice of the required cut and letters from All Mixed Up to some tulips and daffodils from Walk in my Garden and grass from Zooballoo. This shaped front was then welded to a rounded rectangle from George. I highlighted the letters with my fave adhesive pearls and cuttled the grass for texture with the forest branches folder. Of course there were several layers to pop for dimension and the darling Queen & Co. garden brads finished it off. the little butterfly and bee are on springs I made by winding 26 guage wire around a wooden skewer. Be sure to stop by Bitten by the Bug to see how my Design Team sisters rocked this challenge and I hope you'll be inspired to play along.

Hey, and don't forget my BLOG CANDY. Click HERE if you haven't already entered. the drawin will be held on April 1st.

A Day at Scrapbook Expo and Some Lovely Blog Awards

I'm sorry no card to post today but I've been busy shopping 'til I dropped at the Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton, CA. I'd take a picture of all the goodies I bought but I'm afraid that would incriminate me terribly. Fortunately DH wasn't home so I could sneak my bags upstairs unnoticed. LOL It should suffice to say that I made several trips to the car before I was through.

I'm also way behind at posting some lovely blog awards. The first is from Caryn at Glitter Me Silly. She is an amazing crafter and fabulous mother to 5 (yes, count'em 5 adorable children) yet looks like a sweet child herself. If you love bling be sure to visit her wonderful blog. Thank you Caryn for this honor. P.S. She's also has some yummy candy available on her blog so click HERE to comment to win.

The second is from Rosy and Nicci. Rosy at Box Clever Papercrafts has some of the most fabulous sentiments I've ever read in her gorgous cards. Some are beautiful and touching and some make you LOL. Be sure to stop by her blog by clicking HERE. You can visit Nicci at Procraftination (isn't that just the most adorable name for a blog?) Nicci is also from across the pond and has some amazing things on her blog including a fabulous tutorial on making beautiful ribbon roses. Click HERE to check it out.

That makes 24 people I should be passing these awards along to. As far as I'm concerned, all of you who visit me and comment and have blogs of your own truly deserve these honors as well so please accept them with my heartfelt gratitude and admiration. Hugs! D

Also please don't forget my own BLOG CANDY. You have until April 1 to comment HERE.

A Springy Card Set

Heres a fun Springy card set and and folder I made using a template and downloadable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. They are so easy to use and there are so many designs I had a hard time choosing what to make first.

I printed the Greeting Card Folder on my computer and cut it by hand (with the help of my paper cutter...sooo easy), but the downloads are also available in a format to use with SCAL or your Pazzles machine.

I used Martha Stewart punches and fun dotted paper to decorate the folder both inside and out. The pretty tulips are printed half size from The Huge Flower download (stamp 2). I made 2 cards per pocket but there was room for more.

I printed the tulips on patterned paper, glued them to card stock and cut them out. The flower heads and All Occasion Sentiment Circles were popped dotted for dimension. My Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder added some texture. A coordinating strip of paper was added to the inside edge to enhance the scalloped front.

I used 4 of of the 6 sentiments offered in the All Occasion Circle Scallop set. They are conveniently sized in 1", 1 1/2" and 2" versions to punch out with your circle punch, or cut with your Nesties. This was really a fun set to make and I think it would make a super gift. Be sure to stop by The Cutting Cafe to see all of Regina's fabulous designs. They are only a download away.

The Cuttlebug Spot Sketch Challenge

This week on The Cuttlebug Spot our Design Team sister Aymee provided us with a terrific sketch. Aymee is an AMAZING scrapper and has recently started a second blog A Sketchin' Southernbelle where you can find her fabulous sketches for both layouts and cards. So if you want a fun and creative sketch for a project Aymee is your gal. I'll be the first to admit, sketches are a REAL challenge for me. I love the idea of them but when it gets right down to it I have a terrible time with them. I think maybe my mind is much to scattered to follow a "recipe" and even though I know you can take "creative license" with the design somehow I feel like I'm "cheating" when I do. I did overcome this somewhat by turning the sketch vertically. (This was a VERY big deal for me. LOL)

I had the idea for this card way back when the challenge was to use buttons but I was too sick to participate. I wanted to use my fave paper from Memory Makers (Chloe's Closet) because of the tape measure. This paper also had lots of other striped sections which was perfect for the sketch. The pretty patterns of this paper reminds me of a mix of fabrics you might use for a quilt and provided lots of Cuttlebug opportunities. The back ground and "embroidery piece" are textured with Swiss Dots, the buttons and zigzag stitching are border folders, and I used the folder from the With Gratitude set for the larger floral strip. "Thanks" is cut from the die from that set. The rectangle and ovals are cut with Nesties and it's supposed to look like a piece of fabric in an embroidery hoop. I lightly drew the "Sew" on the oval and pierced it at regular intervals. (I cuttled it after sewing so that's why it looks kinda smooshed but I was afraid it might tear the paper otherwise.) "Much" is cut on my Cricut using Opposites Attract, and the pincushion is the Cuttlebug pumpkin cut/emboss die with the leaves cut off. Please go visit The Cuttlebug Spot to see the other Designer's amazing takes on this fun sketch and have a go at it yourself. And don't forget to check out my BLOG CANDY.