Created a New Image to cut with my Cricut and SCAL!!

New image to cut with my Cricut!!! Hibiscus Flower Frame! Woo Hoo!!

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I would like to thank "Karma" from the blog: Crazy Cricut Cutz. Specifically THIS blog post she had on how she makes border frames for her scrapbooking.

http://crazycricutcutz.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-i-make-my-border-frames.html

I was so inspired that I decided to give it a go!! Here is my first result! :) Thought it would be fun for some of those Hawaii pics (from about 13 years ago!!! -- Yikes!)

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If you like the frame, you can download it from here: (You have to cut with an electric die cutting machine that is compatible for cutting an .svg file -- i.e. Using your Cricut and SCAL)

Hibiscus Frame

Tree ATC -- Post Number 100! Wow!!

I don't usually make ATCs. I find the small work area intimidating. Well, I stamped this tree (I Brake for Stamps) onto this nifty little chalk ink background I made with the intention of making a card.

I decided that the tree would stand out better in a smaller venue.

So.....here we are.... an Artful Mama ATC. Write this day down, probably won't happen again for a while! LOL!!!

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I used chalk inks to make the background. I just smeared them around a bit. I also stamped the tree image with chalk inks. I used about 4 different colors on the stamp... all in the orangy-brown family. I inked the edges of the layers with Distress Inks. I like the contrast between the subtle chalk inks and the ka-pow of the distress inks. Distress inks are really quite bright and intense!! The sentiment is a rub on ( I thought it was fitting of an old, mighty oak tree) The flourish in the corner is grungeboard colored with distress ink and then smeared with distress stickles. :)

I suppose I should have a little giveaway for my 100th post! Whoopie! Leave a comment with your email address and I'll draw a random winner next Friday, March 6. I'll send the winner this ATC and a few other little goodies!! :)

Thanks for following along with me on my artistic journey!!

Pop Up Box In Action!!! :)

Here is my pop up box in action!! Can you tell that I'm tickled pink??! :)

My First Pop Up Hexagon Ball! :)

Hi!!

Well, I was watching one of the special QVC crafting shows last week. I was absolutely SMITTEN by the new Sizzix "Pop Up Ball" Die that is being released next month!! But, wait!! I have a super, spectacular, magnificent, NEW, electronic cutting machine!

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I cannot tell you how fabulous the online arts n craft community is!!! I posted a query on some of my online groups looking for a pattern or template for this nifty new ball that I saw on QVC. Before the end of the day, I had a pattern that was already set up to cut on my new Cricut!

LIFE IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!

(now, mind you, I may still buy the new Sizzix die, (uh, for my birthday??) it looks like you can use it to pop up other items and not just use it to make the Pop Up Ball.)

What?!!! You want to see the ball too?????? :) You can see the QVC video demo here: [[warning!! Get your credit card ready!!]]

Sizzix Bigz Pop Up Die

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Here is what I made with the pattern that was shared with me! I cut out the pattern and all of the pieces with my cricut. The exceptions are the chipboard flowers on the top and bottom. I had those in my stash already (I used something I already had! WoooooHoooooooo!!)

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This is a birthday gift for my son's teacher. Hope she likes it! :)

Here is another resource for those of you who are visual learners. (Like ME!)

This woman posted the making of the pattern on her blog as well as how to assemble! The blog is in German, but you can either just look at the pics or you can always translate the blog. :)

JennyReds Blog

Music Tag

Got these fun music stamps from I Brake for Stamps. Both my husband and my daughter are very musically inclined, (I'm a designated "groupie") so I made this fun tag.

All done with distress inks except the words. I printed those out with my lable maker (way fun! :) and colored with a little StazOn. Fibers from my stash..... I think I have enough fibers to last until 2012. But, you know, you HAVE to have a color to go with just about anything, right?!!?

2 New Cards! :)

Fun with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and stamps.

I ran this "groovy" background paper through my Big Kick. The embossing folders work great in the Big Kick! I really like how defined the embossed images can be seen.... even on this wild paper! :)

The edges are distressed with Distress inks and the image is stamped in Chalk Ink. (The image is from one of the collections over at I Brake for Stamps!)

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I also made a card for my nephew with SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) software and my Cricut. Overall I was pretty happy with how it turned out! I was very proud of myself for figuring out how to "curve" the letters for his name! LOL!! :)

I glued black cardstock behind the cutouts to try and get the image to "pop".

Definitely still enamored and having fun with my new "cutting" toy! :)

Yes! Another tag! :)

More "tag-mania". Just havin' fun with my distress inks and tags. I finally got some of the new Distress Stickles....... I'll have to have a play with them soon, too! Also spent some time watching Tim Holtz demo some of his new "toys" at CHA via YouTube. More stuff to "wish for"! :)

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The main image is from I Brake for Stamps. (Isn't it sweet?? :)

The swirls are a stencil! :)