It's Challenge Me Monday!

For my EXCITING NEWS....and a small giveaway......click here!!!!

So, after the EXCITING NEWS that I posted Friday, I have some not so exciting news.....this is my last DT post for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog...sniff, sniff.
I am sad to move on, but so excited for my new opportunity with Robin's Creative Cottage new line of clear polymer stamps!! I will still be around though...as I will definitely be joining in on FCCB's challenges! I have loved my two terms with them, and will miss the DT girls!! :)

So, for my final Challenge Me Monday....the theme is "For the Birds" and we were asked to create something with a bird or something to do with a bird...like a birdcage. Here's my card!!!!


recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Birthday Bash
Cardstock: Bazzill DCWV
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen
(that's it?!?! That's all I used for my card?!?! YUP!!!)

Thanks for taking a peek today...and make sure you are thinking about your bird project....and then whip it up, and link it to FCCB! I dare you!!! ;) and HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone!!!! ;)

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

I received the most wonderful, awesome, STAMP-tastic news the other day!!! Robin, the Creator of Robin's Creative Cottage and the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, is coming out with her own line of AMAZING CLEAR STAMPS!!! And she asked ME! to be on her very first design team!!! I am so excited about this endeavor, I can hardly contain it! I am glad I didn't get the news until a couple days ago, because I have had a hard time not leaking the secret!!!

Ok, so I have seen a sneak peak of these stamps and let me tell you!!! OMG! These stamps are fantastic!!! If you check out my left sidebar, you can see that we are having a Stamp Release Celebration from November 14-19!!! Pick up the blinkie that Robin created and SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!!

You can check out all this AWESOME NEWS over at Robin's Creative Cottage....we will be having giveaways and projects daily, bloghops, and CHALLENGES!!! Please, become a follower, share with your friends, and get excited about this release!!! I know I am!!

I am giving away a $5 gift card to either JoAnn's or Michael's (winners choice) to any of my followers who do the following:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

2. Grab the blinkie and post on your blog about Robin's AMAZING STAMP RELEASE (leave me your blog addy...I'll become a follower of you too!)

3. Head over to Robin's Creative Cottage and follow HER BLOG too!

4. Come back to my blog and tell me that you have done all the requirements!!

EASY-PEASY!!! Giveaway is open until the end of the release....I will pick a winner on November 20th!!

Purple People Eater!!

It's another Challenge Me Monday for FCCB!! This week's challenge is called "Purple People Eater" and we needed to use the color purple and create a project with either a bug or monster in it. Sticking with the Halloween theme....I decided to dig out my Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge and dust it off! Since I took these pictures, I have actually added some stickles to bling it up, and I like it better, but oh well! You guys get the pre-bling pics!! Here you go!


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Paper Doll Dress Up, StoryBook
Cardstock: Recollections, DCWV, Stampin' Up!, Bazzil
Copic Markers
BugBites "All Year Round" stamps
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: D'Vine Swirls
Googly Eyes from my stash

Now, create your own Purple People Eater and head over to FCCB and link it up for the chance to win a FANTABULOUS prize!!! And while you are there, get some other inspiration from my super talented DT girls, and visit their blogs and give them some love! We all love comments!!



thanks for visiting!!

Challenge Card #4

And thanks for sticking with me....for all those people that have seen all 4 of my posted cards today!! :) This is my 2nd Halloween card, and 2nd easel card, of the bunch...I created this card for the following challenges:

My Craft Spot: Too Cute to Spook
Paper Playtime: Use Black, Orange, and Purple.


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Hello Kitty Greetings, Happy Hauntings, Doodletype
Cardstock: DCWV, Recollections, Stampin' Up!, Bazzil
Copic Markers
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Punch

This was my first experience with COPICS!!! LOVE THEM!!! My hubby surprised me with a small set a few weeks ago, and I just haven't had a chance to work with them on a true project! I LOVE the way they make the cuts just POP!! It's hard to see without a close up picture, and I didn't take one...sorry....But if you saw the edging on SPOOK, up close, it is too cute! All of the yellow on the card, I outlined in a green copic and got a super cool effect! I can see this is going to be something I do a LOT of on my projects!

Thanks for stopping by tonight!

Challenge Card #3

And here is the first of 2 Halloween cards that I made for challenges....and the 3rd of 4 cards I have finished while on my staycation!! YAY!! I have made this card to enter in the following challenges:

Wacky Wednesday Challenge at More Than Favors: Use Purple, green, orange, and black.
The Paper Variety: A Forest Creature
Cricut Cardz Challenge: Use an owl on your halloween project


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Happy Hauntings
Cardstock: DCWV, Stampin' Up!, Recollections, K&Company
Sakura White Gel Pen
Queen & Co. Rhinestones

My husband thought I was soooo cheesy with my pun, but I thought it was cute! Boo on him!! :)

Thanks for looking!

Challenge Card #2

Here is my 2nd creation of the day! I designed this easel card to enter into the following challenges:

BBTB2: Frog from Create A Critter
Cooking with Cricut: Anything Goes!


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Create A Critter, Storybook, Sweet Treats, Birthday Bash, Doodlecharms
Cardstock: DCWV Lemon Flower, Recollections
Ribbon from my stash
Prima Flowers
Recollections Silver Brad
Queen & Co. Rhinestone
VersaMagic Dew Drop Chalk Ink in Gingerbread

Thanks for dropping by....I've got 2 more for you today! Stay tuned!!

Challenge Card #1

So, first, I apologize for posting all of these cards back to back, to back, to back....but I've been BUSY!!! I have had a wonderful vacation, and have been creating!! YAY! I updated my 'challenge blog list' and went to work...Here is my first creation and I am entering this in the following challenges:

My Sheri Crafts: Think Pink Challenge
Celebrate the Occasion: Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge
I am also entering this into LINK UP FOR PINK linking party!!!!


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Rock Princess, Car Decals
Cardstock: DCWV, SEI
Stock Ribbon
Copic Markers

I had so much fun playing with my Rock Princess cartridge for this! I think I'm going to give it to a TUFF GIRL co-worker of mine who is a breast cancer survivor! :)

Thanks for looking!

Challenge Me Monday #80 "Pumpkin Time"

It's Challenge Me Monday again!! And although I seem to be only crafting lately for my super FANTABULOUS design team days, I can feel that changing this week! I'm on vacation....a staycation....and I can see it being a very crafty one!! And I am so excited for that!!! Anyway, the challenge put before us this week is "Pumpkin Time" and we were asked to create something with a pumpkin!! I decided that everyone would probably go for the Halloween approach, so I decided to put a different spin on it....here it is!


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Gypsy Wanderings, Disney Happily Ever After, Paper Doll Dress Up
cardstock: DCWV "Old World" Stack
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Distressed Stripes
decorative corner punch: Fiskars
Ribbon: American Crafts
VersaMagic Dew Drops Chalk Ink in Gingerbread
Signo Uniball Gold Gel Pen

What do you think? This style is very different from what i normally create, but I kinda like it! Quite 'vintage' looking!! :) and now it's your turn!! Head over to FCCB and link up your pumpkiny creation!! And here's to having a crafty week!! :)

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog: A Pirate's Life!!

I had no idea what to do for this week's Challenge Me Monday over at FCCB!!!! The challenge this week is A Pirate's Life and I just didn't know what to do! However, after perusing my cartridges...I came up with this!


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: B is for Boy Lite
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! And DCVW
Ribbon from my stash
Tim Holtz Brads
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen

So, the card turned out a little plain, but oh well! I'm giving it to my uncle for his Birthday....he won't notice the lack of BLING!! LOL!!!
What can you come up with for this week's challenge? Head on over to FCCB and see what the other lovely ladies on the DT came up with....and then link up your own!!
Can't wait to see what you create!!!

Challenge Me Monday #77, Back to School!!! (PIC HEAVY)

It's time for another Challenge Me Monday over at FCCB! And since my LAST DT project was admittedly not one I made fresh for the challenge....I've been able to get back into my craft room (newly organized!!) and create this AWESOME number book that I think I will give to my nephew for Christmas!! The challenge this week is "Back to School" and we were asked to create a project with numbers or letters in it! I bought some Acrylic mini albums on clearance for a $1 apiece at ACMoore a while back, and haven't used them at all! I thought that this challenge would be PERFECT to put them to use!! The mini album is about 6"x6" for the covers, and 4"x4" on the inside pages, so I was a little nervous at how the characters would look at such a small size, since they are so detailed. I was extremely happy with the final result! Even though they are detailed, and some turned out better than others, I was impressed with the cutting action of my E, and YAY! they actually look like Sesame Street Characters!! :) For some things that were just too small to cut out (especially Zoe's jewelry...) I used some Liquid Pearls. Here you go!

Big Bird made the cover...he actually looks like he's counting his fingers!


Super Grover


Elmo


Cookie Monster


Prairie Dawn


Bert


Ernie


Oscar the Grouch


Zoe


Telly Monster


Count Von Count


Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Sesame Street Friends, Sesame Street Font
Cardstock: Stampin' Up!, K & Company, DCWV
Acrylic Mini Album
Assorted Liquid Pearls (Zoe's jewelry, Count's buttons, Telly's green eyes)
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen
Ribbon from the Target Dollar Spot

Thanks for taking a look today, and head over to FCCB to see what Back to School projects the rest of the uber talented Design Team has cooked up!! Get inspired and then create your own masterpiece and link it up for the chance to win a FANTABULOUS PRIZE! :) You have until Sunday night at Midnight to link up!!

Challenge Me Monday!!

It's another Challenge Me Monday over at FCCB!!! This week's theme is "Birthday Bash" and we were asked to make a project for a kid's birthday. Well, I have to confess....I didn't make this for a kid....it was actually for my sister-in-law....and I didn't make it for this week's challenge.....this week got completely away from me, and I have been moving my craft room, and all my stuff is in piles waiting to be organized!!! ahhhh!!! So, alas, I was not able to make something new....BUT this card has never been posted before, so it's new to you all, right? :)

I made this quickie card for my sister in law's birthday a few weeks ago, when we were headed off to the Seacoast Country Music Festival, featuring Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Jerrod Niemann. It was such a great time, and I thought Jessie would fit perfectly. I didn't add too many details, because Jessie has plenty of detail herself! Here it is!



I'll give you the recipe later, because right now, I need to post this and GET TO WORK!!! I'm running late on this Monday!!

If you have extra time this week, head on over to FCCB and link up YOUR kid's birthday project!! :)

FCCB Challenge Me Monday!

Hello Again! Happy Monday!! It's another Challenge Me Monday over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!!! This week's challenge is "Going Buggy!" and you are put to the test to create a project with a BUG in it!! There are soooo many adorable bugs in the Cricut Library and I had a hard time deciding which bug to pick! I finally chose a ladybug from Kate's ABC's, since I got the cartridge for my birthday in May and I had yet to play with it!! This is what I came up with!



Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Kate ABC's
Cardstock: Bazzil Basics and K&Company
Stamps: My Craft Spot's Sweet Sentiments Set #1
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
Prima Flowers
Recollections Silver Brad
Queen & Co. Rhinestone in Cotton Candy
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen
Pop Dots

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! I would LOVE for you to join in on the challenge, and head over to FCCB to link up your project!! You also have to check out the other FANTABULOUS projects that the rest of the Design Team came up with this week! They are amazing!! :)

Another BugBites preview!!

It's time for another BugBites 'All Year Round" stamp set preview!! And looky here...I used 2 stamps!! I had so much fun making this scene card! Both stamps went fabulously with it! It just shows the versatility of this stamp set....



Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Winter Frolic
Cardstock: Stampin' Up!, DCWV
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders: Swiss Dots, D'Vine Swirls
BugBites 'All Year Round' stamp set
Nicole Rhinestones
Signo Uniball Silver Gel Pen
ribbon from my stash

And here are some close-ups of Barb's AMAZING stamps!!




Head over to BugBites to see the rest of today's previews, and enter for a chance to win this awesome set!! Thanks for stopping by!!

I'm also entering this in the Cricut Circle Monthly challenge for August, which is to create a project with a scene!! :)

BugBites Stamp Set Preview!

So, have you heard the news? My blogger friend, Barb, over at BugBites has designed her first set of stamps!!!! It's called 'All Year Round', and she asked some of us to help showcase her stamps during her Release Week!! How cool is that? I was so excited when she asked....and of course, I said YES!! These really are great stamps....just anything you could think of for the whole year round! Great quality, great sayings....love them!

Barb is giving away a stamp set to one lucky follower for each day this week! Head over to her blog HERE to comment and have a chance to win your own stamp set!!

Here is the card I created for today's Sneak Peek!!



Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Happy Hauntings
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! And K & Company
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Border Punch
BugBites 'All Year Round' stamp set
Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Ribbon from my stash
Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen

Thanks so much for taking a look today!! Make sure you come back on Friday, as I will have another Sneak Peek of Barb's FABULOUS stamps!!

FCCB--Challenge Me Monday #70--MELON TIME!!

It's my first week with the new Team B design team members over at FCCB....I can't wait to see what everyone has created! It is another Challenge Me Monday and this week's theme is MELON TIME!!! And we were asked to create a project with a fruit or melon in it. I decided on the token "thanks a melon" card....and decided to use Just Because Cards to carry out my design. Here it is!



Recipe:
Cricut Cartridge: Just Because Cards
Cardstock: Bazzill and K&Company
Time Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
Martha Stewart Glitter Glue
Sakura black Gelly Roll pen
Pop Dots
ribbon from my stash

I added the glitter glue because I totally screwed up in the decorating/doodling that I was doing in the 'thanks a melon' sentiment!! Oops! I would've liked it better without the glitter, but oh well. It still came out ok!

Thanks for looking today! I would love for you to head over to FCCB and see what the new and old DT members came up with this week, and then link up your own project!! Remember, it's MELON TIME!!!! :)

My Pink Stamper DT Call!! My 11th hour entry!

So, just in case you hadn't heard.....Robyn, aka My Pink Stamper, is having a Design Team Call for her next 6 month term. If you are completely new to Cricut, or at least the online Cricut world, then you may not know who Robyn is. You should REALLY check her out!! I first discovered here about 2 years ago when I ventured into the online Cricut community, and she really was inspiring to me in many ways. She has lots of great products that go along with the Cricut, and she is just such an All-American, girl-next-door type...you can't help but love her! :) You can check her out, HERE.
But, back on track....I have submitted a project for each of Robyn's previous DT calls, and have not been chosen... :( But, determination (and stubborness...hee hee!!) leads me to submit a project yet again, and HOPE, HOPE, HOPE that she discovers little ole me out of the crowd of almost 200 that have applied!! YIKES!!
So, since this IS the 11th hour...you only have until midnight CST TONIGHT to submit...I will get right to it!

These are Robyn's submission guidelines (let's see if I qualify)...

*You will need to have a blog that you regularly post on for at least 3 months. (check!)
*You cannot already be serving on a DT that has product that is a conflict of interest (most DTs are just fine as long as they do not sell product that is similar to My Pink Stamper Original Cricut Stamps idea) (check! I'm only on FCCB...no product there!!)
*Your project must be made just for this challenge (check! Done tonight and only for this!)
*Post a pic on your blog with a full recipe along with what the challenge is about (check!)
*This needs to be a new project that you make just for this challenge (check again!)
*Only one entry per person, please (check! no time to make a 2nd!! hee hee!!)
*You do not need to be a professional but you must have a love for the craft! :) (double check!!)

Challenge: Make a card, scrapbook page, or other Cricut project with your favorite Cricut cartridge using the following colors......

Orange
Turquoise (ok...I DID use tourquoise....but it looks blue in the pic! :( )
Green
Brown
(other optional color of your choice) (check!! I've included all 4, and added an optional of YELLOW!)

Now that I have followed the guidelines to a 'T'...here's my card!! Hope you like it!



Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Birthday Bash (my current fave...lots of b-days around here right now!!), George and Basic Shapes, and Preserves
Cardstock: DCWV, Stampin' Up!, and Core'dinations
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
Pebbles Chalk
White and Black Gel Pen
Pop Dots

I cut the background card from Birthday Bash, using the card feature, at 5". The tourquoise background (that sort of looks blue in the pic...oops) is cut from George at 4" and embossed with Swiss Dots. Since it is Core'dinations paper, the dots popped thru with the white core, so I dusted it with some Pebbles chalk to get the single color look back. I then cut the tag from Preserves using my Gypsy, so that I could get the correct length and width for my sentiment. I cut my Donkey Pinata from Birthday Bash at 3.25" and the CELEBRATE phrase, from the same cartridge, at 3". I cut the phrase 3 times in 3 different colors so I could create a shadow effect. I then inked all edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink, and assemble!! Add a few Gel Pen doodles and VOILA! A wonderful birthday card!! :)

Thank you guys, for taking a peek at my card tonight, and if you have a minute to throw together a quick card for her DT call...go for it!! I have been meaning to do this all week (since she announced it)...but hadn't gotten my buns in gear! I'm so glad I did though....and I'm keeping my fingers crossed!! Good luck to all the other applicants!! :)

Spotlighting Scrappy Moms Stamps for FCCB!!

Happy Sunday everyone!! Today, over at FCCB, some of the DT members were asked to create projects using Scrappy Moms Stamps!! Tammy and Melanie over at Scrappy Moms Stamps were so generous to supply us with their BRAND NEW RELEASE....."QUIRKY QUOTES"!!!!! If you have never worked with these stamps, let me tell you, they are FABULOUS!! They are high quality clear photpolymer stamps that are made in the USA, and they stamp wonderfully!
Quirky Quotes has some adorable sayings.....I used one of the more 'traditional' sayings since I was making a birthday card for an Aunt, but there are some really cute puns in this set too! Head on over to Scrappy Moms Stamps and check them out!!

Here is my card....

Recipe:
Cricut Cartridges: Life's A Beach, Create A Critter, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More.
Cardstock: K & Company
Scrappy Moms Stamps QUIRKY QUOTES
Yellow Embroidery Floss---(just haven't allowed myself to buy any twine yet! This was a great substitution!!)
Signo Uniball Silver Gel Pen
Nicole Rhinestones
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
Ribbon from the Target Dollar Bin
Pop Dots

Here is a close up of the QUIRKY QUOTES sentiment! Thanks SCRAPPY MOMS!


Thanks for visiting today everyone! So glad that I could share my card with you! Today is gonna be a SCORCHER here in Maine, and I'm so glad my first part of the day is going to be at the Birthday Party (where this card is for...) and it's a Pool Party!! And then the 2nd part of my day is going to be at the SEACOAST COUNTRY MUSIC FEST!! I am soooooooo excited for this event, I just had to share! Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Jerrod Neimann, plus others!! Yee HAW!! :) Can't wait to put my cowboy boots on! LOL!!



Have an Awesome day! I know I will! :)