BBTB2 Fly Away! Hot Air Balloon Challenge

This week at BBTB2 our fabulous DT sister Jeri chose a Fly Away challenge, inspired by a hot air balloon festival she saw on her travels.  Those of you who do not own a cartridge with a hot air balloon may use an airplane and I almost opted for that because I'd done a project with not one, but 3 hot air balloons previously (click HERE if you're interested.  Too funny, Jeri chose that challenge too, it was my interpretation that was kooky, LOL) so I didn't think I could come up with anything new.  However, my never used Everyday Pop-Up cart had this fab phrase with the hot air balloon already attached so problem solved.

Yes, of course, it's a shaped front card, but I didn't have to do any welding, except for the rectangle on the back. WooHoo!  The layers to the letters were already done too, so picking out the paper was the toughest job I had...well, almost.

The hot air balloon was not detailed on this cut and that was, after all, the chosen cut for the challenge.  So when popping the layers, I resized the full balloon cut and almost all of the layers to fit the phrase and layered it up to be in the forefront.  I was pleased that my Cricut was able to cut the details cleanly at this size.  It was all done in yellow and I colored the basket and flags with my Copics. A little embossing, and there ya go.  There are gorgeous inspirational pieces by my DT sisters this week, so please stop by BBTB2 and check them out.  As always, we hope you choose to play along, but please take a minute to read the challenge rules.  I hate being the "Cricut police" and it breaks my heart when I have to delete a lovely project because it doesn't follow the challenge rules.  Quit making me the bad guy, ya hear? xx

I'm also entering this in the Stampalot Take Flight Challenge (I didn't see anything in the rules that said it must be stamped so I'm keeping fingers crossed).

Macabre Monday Insidious Inspiration

This week at Haunted Design House our is challenge Insidious Inspiration, based on this mojo inspiring  photo.  Now I've already done some stuff with poison and potions, so I dug a little deeper.  My piece is my interpretation of a Lacrymatory, or tear bottle which has a rich history dating back to ancient times.

A lachrymatory, or tear bottle has been used for centuries to symbolize love, joy, sorrow and rememberance.  They were used to collect the tears of mourners and were found buried in ancient tombs to show honor and respect.  In Victorian times, when tears were collected, the special stopper (usually cork) allowed for their slow evaporation which then signaled the end of the official mourning period.  In some American Civil War Stories, women were said to have cried into bottles and saved them until their husbands returned from battle.  The collected tears showing how loved and missed they were.  However, tear bottles, or catchers, were historically a mourning tradition and only recently have tears of joy and inspiration been captured.  Often the bottles were beautiful and ornate, and displayed on special trays.  My version is the HDH one, inspired by the pic, with the small skulls representing twin infants and the larger one, their mother with the fab black metal roses on her head, who also died in childbirth.  I'd be thinkin' there'd be mega tears shed for this bunch.  The tray is done with my new Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares out of mirri card stock and lined with felt.  I'm planning on adding a jump ring to the back so it can be worn on a chain.  Ya never know when those tears are gonna strike and I'd hate to miss any.  My Minions sisters have fabby interprations of their own, so be sure to visit HDH and check it out.  And a special Birthday Greeting to our Guest Minion, fab friend and Dilly Beans DT sis Jenn.  Luv ya, girly!  And don't forget Wretched Wednesday when Creepy Glo graces us with her presence and announces he winners from last week's challenge.

Bermuda Bag Using the New CTMH Artiste Cartridge

Here I am with 3 DT projects due by Monday and I'm messing with my new Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge but I just couldn't help myself.  The whole package of goodies is a crafter's paradise filled with chipboard pieces and coordinating stamps as well as the Cartridge, but while flipping through the book, one little bag in particular caught my eye and sent me on a trip down Memory Lane.  My first love in high school had a sister whose hubby was in the Navy and they were stationed in Bermuda.  On one of her trips to visit them, his Mom came back with the most adorable handbag for me as a gift.  It had wooden handles and was made of white embroidered linen which buttoned to the frame so you could actually switch out different fabrics.  I adored that bag and when came to page 32 of the handbook, I had to recreate it.  I chose to make it white on white becasue that's what my bag was, but I also cut it in a light brown and trimmed it for the handle and embossed it with the Tim Holtz Woodgrain folder.

To add interest, I used two different textures of white card stock and cut the bag a second time, slightly smaller for a second layer and trimmed and embossed it with Swiss Dots.  The beautiful motif on the front is also from Artiste (Accent 3, page 44).  The shadow was cut with the base texture, the top layer with the other.  To add more dimension, I popped the motifs.  Then I added buttons along the top, just like my bag had.  I'm really thrilled with how it came out.  Now I can't stop thinking about island breezes, gorgeous sunsets and the pink sand of Bermuda, as I was lucky enough to visit with his family the next summer. 

Hope you like my little bag and my little story.  There are tons of fab 3D projects on Artiste and really something for every holiday or special event.  I can't wait to play with it some more.  My dear friend and DT sister Susan is my CTMH consultant so please stop by her blog to see some amazing projects using this cart.  She has info about the special CTMH deals this month that I'm sure you won't want to miss.

I'm entering this in the Sugar Creek Hollow something Old (the embossing folders), Something New (my Cricut Artiste cartridge) Challenge, Dutch Dare Anything but a Card Challenge, Fab 'N Funky Anything but a Card Challenge, Anything Goes Let's Not be Square Challenge, and Ruby's Rainbow anything but a Card Challenge.

Dilly Beans Sewing

EIYIYI!  The day got away from me and I've neglected to post this week's Dilly Beans challenge card.  Megan still has limited computer access so we're not up to speed on the Challenge Blog but if you'd like to get started, the theme this week is sewing.  This is open to interpretation, stitching real or faux, sewing notions or patterns, anything related to sewing, so be creative with it.  I'd recently purchased the Sizzix button folders so I immediately thought of Megan's Ragdoll Ruby with her cute button eyes.  I wasn't quite sure how I was going to use her, so I printed not only the whole Ruby, but also Ragdoll Ruby Face because I wan't sure which to use for my design.  I colored just the Face stamp first and added cute flower buttons to her eyes but after compiling my card, the face alone didn't balance the design so I colored the smaller body and fussy cut it without the proportional head et voila!  I kinda like her with the big head, don't you?  LOL

The pretty papers are from Making Memories Chloe's Closet which is old as the hills but still a fave of mine.  I sanded the embossing to bring out the buttons and added a scattering of real ones.  The sentiment button was printed on the computer and glued to the back of a Stampin'Up clear button and I sewed them all to the mat and left the needle right on the card.  The fab spool is from the new Close to My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge which is now available to order HERE from my good friend Susan. It arrived just in time, (fab shipping Woohoo!)   I popped Ruby's Face a bit higher than her body to give a little more dimension.  I hope you have as much fun with this challenge as I did.  Click on the individual designer's name on the sidebar of The Dilly Beans Challenge Blog to get more inspiration until Megan is back online.

I'm also entering this in the Simply Create Too Anything Goes Challenge, DYSU Polka Dots challenge, My Heart Pieces Use Designer Paper Challenge, Paper Play Layer it Up Challenge and Digi Stamps 4 Joy Polka Dots and Stripes challenge.

BBTB2 On the Farm Challenge (Don't look, Becky!)

Happy Monday, everyone.  This week at BBTB2 our sweet and talented Krista has chosen On the Farm for our challenge.  I knew immediately what to do.  I'm horribly late with a Graduation card for my BFF's son who just so happens to be going to our Alma Mater, MSU.  I think everybody is pretty much over the graduation thing and excited about starting a new chapter, so I decided to make him an MSU wallet and add some cash.  What's with the cow?  Michigan State was established in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first in the United States, and served as a prototype for future Land Grant institutions. Obviously MSU has expanded beyond it's agricultural roots, but it's still often referred to affectionately as "Moo U".  The cow is cut from Paper Doll Dress Up.  I rarely use that cart because of the lack of shadows and layers for these accessory cuts but after cutting him 4 times in white, trimming off body parts to add dimension, coloring with Copics, and doodling a bit, I finally came up with a decent looking cow.  The cowboy hat (I'll explain that later) is also from PDDU and "Moola" is from Varsity Letter.

The wallet is made from card stock, embossed with the snakeskin folder from the Cuttlebug Animal Prints set.  It's inked with distressed and I added fancy metal corners from Tim Holtz.

The top opens like a wallet for cash, and the pocket has room for cards with a personal message.  Just in case you confuse MSU with that "other" university in Michigan, I thought (singing dancing) Sparty should get in on the act.  I actually bought him while visiting Becky in Michigan when Andy was probably 7 years old and bought him one just like it.  Squeeze his hand and he plays the MSU Fight Song and Andy drove his Dad nuts with it (he's a fan of that "other" school.  LOL).  The hat is vintage,  mine, and I still wear it when watching MSU play on TV so my cow needed one too.  I kinda like to think it's got lucky charms since I had it on when Magic lead the team to the NCAA basketball championships in 1979.  Good times.  I'm wishing Andy all the best.  Now hop on over to BBTB2 and see what the rest of my teamies came up with for this challenge.  Sure would love it if you would play along too.  Just be sure to use your Cricut and follow our simple rules.

Macabre Monday Freakers Free for All Featuring Tiddly Inks

Hello peeps, it's time for another Macabre Monday at Haunted Design House and this week it's Freakers Free for All (Meaning Anyting Goes as long as it's Dark, Gothic or Halloween inspired).  Our sponsor this week is Tiddly Inks whose digis are near and dear to my heart (and BTW they now have Clear Stamps too!)  

I've use the adorable Whatever! for my card today.  Such a cute Goth chick.  Love her 'tude.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped a top Toasting Properly Paper which I've changed the color of using my Printmaster Pro Program.  Couldn't help but add a Glow skull from Creepy Glo's Etsy shop to her hair.  Fabulous, eh? 

Creepy Glo also turned me on to the fabulous freebie sentiments at Ginger's House which is where this one came from.  I printed right on the skull on the paper and then cut it out and popped it too.  Quite fitting.  Those who know me well are giggling now.  (Well, maybe not, but hey, I'm a Taurus.  What can I say?)  Be sure to stop by HDH and see more the the fab inspiration from the Minions using more of the wonderful Tiddly Inks images.  BTW, the new Fantasy Friends release is unbelievable and you have a chance to win some Tiddlies of your own!  If you've wanted to dabble in darkness but were afraid to try, this might be the challenge for you.  Come join us.  

Love to Create Challenge featuring Papelitos Stamps

Papelitos Stamps is one of the sponsors for this week's Love to Create Challenge Blog so I just had to play along.  The challenge is Spots N Dots and I'm pretty sure I've got that covered.  I've used Lala from Papelitos because  I thought this image would be cute for a tag, which happens to be the current challenge at the Papelitos Challenge Blog as well.  I thought it would be fun to paper piece her hair with dotty paper too and really love how it came out.

I printed her 3 times so I could add dimension to her lips and hand and gave her some glitter lipstick.  The sentiment was cut on my Cricut using the Graphically Speaking cartridge.  You have 'til tomorrow to play along with Love to Create and until Monday for Papelitos.  Remember, you don't have to use a Papelitos stamp, but we love it when you do.  Cris is adding extra incentive by compiling all of the challenge entries at the end of each month for an additional chance to win.  And BTW, if you love Papelitos Stamps, there's a Design Team call HERE so be sure to check it out.

I'm also entering this in the Sassy Cheryl's Polka Dots Everywhere Challenge, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes and the Simon Says Stamp and Show Hey Girl Challenge.

Dilly Beans Ribbon Challenge

Megan is having some computer woes so the Dilly Beans Challenge will be posted a bit late this week, but that doesn't mean you can't take a little peek at the challenge.  We want you to pull out your RIBBONS.  I must say I'm a bit of a ribbon collector and they seem to be multiplying.  Sooo many ribbons, what to choose?  Well, it's seems like I'm in kinda a Christmas mode at the mo and with all of the adorable Dilly Beans snowmen just waiting in the wings, I decided to pull one out.  #310 Happy Snowman is one of my absolute FAVES!  He's colored with Copics and backed by snowflakes from the Tim Holtz Snow Flurries Die.  To keep my ribbon banners from fraying, I first used my ATG gun to tape the ribbon to strips of card stock and then cut the notched end.  Easier to cut that way too.  Pop over to the Challenge Blog and click on the sidebar to go to my teamie's blogs if you just can't wait 'til the post goes up.  You'll be glad you did.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge, Charisma Cardz Monochrome Challenge, Pink by Design Christmas in July and Shelly's Images Christmas in July.

Haunted Design House Wretched Wednesday

I bet you all were just sooo disappointed that there wasn't a Macabre Monday post from me, weren't you?  Well, I had a few too many things on my plate and wanted to do it justice because of the theme AND the fabulous sponsor so Creepy Glo gratiously allowed me to share her spotlight, this Wretched Wednesday, along with our fab guest Minion, Nancy.   WooHoo!  Our theme is Movie Madness and our sponsor is the fabulous Spesch Designer Stamps.  This was an absolute no brainer for me.  You know how much I LOVE Alice in Wonderland and I bought the whole collection as soon as these came out.  The winners of the coveted Gruesome Twosome with EACH receive 3 stamps of their choice from the vast selection at Spesch Stamps.  WooHoo!

I've used the Zombie Queen who seems thrilled to display the White Rabbit's severed head on her sceptre.  I've cropped it from Zombie Alice's little fist. Zombie Cheshire is there to clean up the remains.  I had a ball coloring these with my Copics, but didn't have a background chosen which proved to be a bit of a prob.  The sentiment begged for a "timely" theme and the lovely darkness of DCWV's Tattered Time was just the ticket.  I've added some blood via nail polish to the hands in the spirit of "time's up".  Yeah, I'd say so.  the sentiment letters were cut with the retired Curls and Swirls Cuttlebug Alphabet which is just PERFECT for the quirkiness of Wonderland, but it was really hard to get them to show up against the dark background.  Believe me, I tried many colors and finally had to go with the purple backed with the dark red which didn't show up on it's own. (Bummer!)  And of course, everything's better with Drippy Goo, so there you have it.  Be sure and check out my Sister Minions who managed to get it together on time HERE.

I was so thrilled that the Poison Peas challenge is back in business and there theme this time is "Unusual Alice" so of course I'm entering it there as well.  (I think this one's a little more fitting, don't you, Mark?)

Wicked Wednesdays Famous Monsters

Have to go post this for WW Famous Monsters.  Don't want to miss it.  BRB This was the fastest ATC EVER!  Nosferatu is from The Octopode Factory colored very quickly with Copics.  I hand drew, cut out, embossed and inked the coffin.  Background is and MS Halloween mat stack.  Eiyiyi!  I've been trying to get to this all week!

WooHoo!  All worth it!  I made the top 3!  Thanx guys!

BBTB2 Christmas in July

Happy Monday!  Our challenge at BBTB2 this week comes from across the pond from our lovely and talented DT sister Jayne.  It's a Christmas in July theme challenge, so it's pretty much "anything goes" as long as it's Christmas and cut with your Cricut.  My card is from the Cricut Circle 4th quarter cartridge Out of Character with some added stars from Simply Charmed.  I took my somewhat non traditional colors from the patterned DP I chose for the "O".

It is a fully shaped card for a change, the shadows welded in Design Studio.  Pretty easy as the it's sort of a "word jumble" cartridge so the word "Joy" and (almost all) of it's layers were done for me.  I intended this to be pretty straight forward and simple, but decided as I went that is needed a bit of sparkle and bling.  First I glittered the stars and embossed them with the Stars Cuttlebug folder.  My 5" Xyron crapped out halfway through so I removed the adhesive with one of those erasers made for that purpose and was happy I didn't have to cut them over again.  This time I used a glue marker which wasn't all that easy to tell if you've covered evenly, but it was ok.  Added some really superfine glitter and then (when I was sure it was pretty dry) ran it through my Cuttlebug. (Note to self, buy extra Xyron cartridges).  The "J" was embossed with Swiss Dots and begged for some star gems at the top and bottom.  To balance those, I added gems throught each of the holes cut in the "y".  Quite the PITA since it's popped, but I love how it looks.  After that, the "o" and stars looked a little underdressed, so they got blinged too.  (TMI?  Sorry, I'm feeling kinda chatty today.)

Even I was suprised at how FAT this thing turned out.  It looks a little bit ridiculous as a card, so I may just tear off the entire top and attach it to a plaque and make it a door hanger or something.  There are actually 2 shadow cuts for each word on this cart, the first one being slightly offset.  You can't really see it that well with my poor color choices here.  There are 2 shades of teal, one slightly darker.  It looked like more of a contrast before it was all assembled so there's an extra layer right there.  I feel strongly about each element having an entire shadow around it and each is popped.  In the design, the "o" in "Joy" had no shadow but I felt compelled to create one.  LOL  Also, when I've added several background elements in a design, I prefer them to be on different planes.  See how the top star is several layers lower than the bottom one?  I like the depth that creates, but it requires multiple cuts of the same element and really adds to the thickness. 

It looks cool (I think, anyway) but isn't so great for mailing and if you're making a card, it requires some major reinforcement to the back or it won't stand up.  This is the inside with the trimmed second shadow adding some reinforcement.  The base card was cut in the darker teal as was the top mat on the front which hides the welds.  However, I actually cut two of the top mats and glued and folded one over the back before adding the front mat to give it an extra layer.  I will also probably cut a dark shadow for the bottom star and a star itself, before adding a sentiment.  (Providing I keep it as a card, LOL)  So there you have it.  I've had a lot of requests about tutorials or videos about this so I'll call this a "baby step".  Hope y'all weren't too bored with it. Now pop on over to BBTB2 and see the fabulous eye candy from the rest of the team.  Then follow our simple rules and come join our challenge, ok? Oh, and don't forget you still have a week for our Fashion Challenge as well.  See ya there.

The Altered Alice Week 4, Chapter 17: Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue

The White Queen gave a deep sigh, and laid her head on Alice's shoulder. `I am so sleepy?' she moaned.
`She's tired, poor thing!' said the Red Queen. `Smooth her hair -- lend her your nightcap -- and sing her a soothing lullaby.'
`I haven't got a nightcap with me,' said Alice, as she tried to obey the first direction: `and I don't know any soothing lullabies."
`I must do it myself, then,' said the Red Queen, and she began:

Hush-a-by lady, in Alice's lap!

Till the feast's ready, we've time for a nap:

When the feast's over, we'll go to the ball --

Red Queen, and White Queen, and Alice, and all!

-- Chapter 9, Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There

In the United States, we celebrated our Independence Day this month, so we have a patriotic Red, White & Blue color challenge for you at The Altered Alice! Of course here in Wonderland we know those colors are for the White Queen, the Red Queen, and Alice's blue dress! Enter your red, white & blue project by July 27 for a chance to win a prize from our sponsor. All entries are welcome, but those that feature Wonderland will have two chances to win instead of one.


Simon Says Stamp is offering a $20 gift certificate to one randomly drawn winner! Simon Says Stamp has over 100,000 items in stock. They have all of the latest releases from Magnolia, Whiff of Joy, Tim Holtz, Spellbinders, Copic and so much more! With great deals on shipping, it’s a great time to shop with Simon Says Stamp.



My project this month is a patriotic Hatter's hat cut with my Cricut using the Cricut Craftroom Exclusive Independence Day 3D Projects digital cartridge (thanks Paula Bee for drawing it to my attention with your fab project).  I used the small version of the hat and cut it at 5".  At this size was able to lay the entire thing out on a 12X24" mat and cut it in white cardstock.  I colored the pieces with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in in Faded Jeans, Festive Berries (from the Winter Seasonal Distress 3 pack) and Frayed Burlap.

All stamps for the project come from the Stampendous Wonderland set of Clear Stamps.  The main images were stamped with Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa, and colored with Copics, the rest with Distress Festive Berries.  The rosettes were cut with the Tim Holtz Sizzix Paper Rosette Flower Strip Die and again, colored with Distress Inks. The tiny red clothespin is from Canvas Corp.  The flag Alice is holding is a cupcake decoration.

Tucked in the hatband is the patriotic version of the Hatter's price tag (cut with Nesties Labels Seventeen) with the 4th of July date instead of the 10/6.  Many use those numbers to celebrate the Mad Hatter's tea party (October 6th in the US, June 10th in the UK) so I thought it would be fitting. The numbers themselves were cut on the Cuttlebug using the Curls and Swirls Alphabet.  The White Rabbit is telling us it's time to celebrate.

The hat is finished with ribbon from my stash and the starburst center (from the Rosette Die) stamped with hearts from the Stampendous set.  Please be sure to stop by The Altered Alice to see my DT Sister's fabulous projects from the previous 3 weeks and don't forget you have until July 27th to play along.

I'm also entering this in the I Brake for the Red White and Blue Challenge, Scrappy Frogs Red, White and Blue Challenge,  and Simon Says Stamp and Show No Rules.