Christmas

It's been such a long time since I've been able to blog.  Now that all the Christmas stuff is ready I have a minute to show some cards.

I love making box cards.  This one is made from bits from different cartridges and a stamp.  The girl is from a Quilted Christmas, the tree from (I think) Create a Critter, and the gifts from two different places that I don't remember. The cat is from an Ai cat set.

I think this card is a perfect summary of Christmas so I am entering it in the Fantabulous Cricut challenge, Christmas.  Please visit the other entries.

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone, and a very Happy New Year!

Rae Ann

Another Birthday Card

Hi!
This is definitely a time for birthdays.  I've had a number of requests for cards.  This one is supposed to be in honor of the many times friends sip wine together.

Inside it says "You know, in wine years you would be vintage (but a very fine one).

I'm entering this in Bitten by the Bug 2, Birthday, and Cardz TV, Anything goes.
I used the Cricut cartridges, Simply Charmed and Create a Critter for the cuts.

Don't forget to visit these blogs and thanks for stopping by.
Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

A Birthday Dino Card

A friend asked me to make a birthday card for her great-nephew who is turning 1.  He's big into dinosaurs.

I made the card 5 x 7 which is larger than I usually make.  I used Cricut's Create a Critter for all the cuts except the candle, which came from Sweet Treats.

The theme at Bitten by the Bug 2 is Birthday so this is being entered.
Make sure you visit the blog to see designer's cards and other entries.  There is so much inspiration out there.

Thanks for stopping by.
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Graduation Cards

Welcome, again.

The theme at Bitten by the Bug 2 is graduation.  I decided to use the cute people on the Create a Friend cartridge for this challenge.  I made the guy and decided to do the girl, too.

The bodies were cut at 3 1/4" but with the shadow they end up being 4" high.  I used the George and Basic Shapes cartridge to cut stars at 1" and 1/2".  I do love the Create a Friend characters.

Make sure you visit Bitten by the Bug 2 to see the efforts of the design team and participants.

I appreciate your visit.
Happy Creating!
Rae Ann

Have a Pawsome Day

It's great to be back into card-making.  I wasn't up to it for quite a while and now I'm having fun.  I decided to try making some cat and dog lover cards.
This card will be entered into 3 challenges.

The dog was cut from Cricut's Create a Critter at 2 1/4".  The scalloped circle was cut from Cricut's Straight From the Nest at 3" and 3 1/4".

Pile It On - animal
Cardz TV - anything goes
Shopping our Stash - use buttons  This one is great for me; I forget about all the buttons I have and what nice embellishments they can be.

Please visit these blogs and see the work of the designers and participants.  But, before you go, here are 2 other cards I did in the same way:

Thanks for visiting.  Have a great day.
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Another Birthday card for Exploring Cricut and More

Hello, again.  This week I've been trying out my new Cricut Happily Ever After cartridge.  I thought one of the fairy godmothers and this sentiment stamp would be a perfect match.

I cut the fairies at 3 1/2 inches.  The white banner came from Cricut's Small Talk and Frames cartridge.  The stars were in the Cricut Create a Friend cartridge with the little ballerina.
I still have one more fairy to do, a blue one.  I don't know which I like more; they're all so cute.

Inside is a simple "Happy Birthday" cut from the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge.  I didn't realize I used so many different cartridges until I started this list.  It's great to find the little accessories in different cut collections

Please continue to stop by Exploring Cricut and More  for daily inspirations from our design team.  And, join us next Monday for another challenge.

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Happy New Year with Exploring Cricut

Wow! Is it 2014 already?  The challenge this week is to help bring in the New Year with a card, layout, or paper project that welcomes the New Year.

I wanted to make a card that looked like a celebration so I used this old scrap that reminded me of tiny fireworks.  I used the following cuts:
Happy New Year - Phrases
Champagne Bottle - Simply Charned
Balloons - Create a Critter
Then, I wrote 2014 on the balloons with silver glitter glue and added some sequins.  It has just the feel I wanted it to have.

Please join our challenge with your creation that welcomes in 2014.  Post it at Exploring Cricut and visit each day to see what the design team comes up with.

Have a wonderful New Year filled with joys and blessings.
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Another Birthday Card for Exploring Cricut

Hi!  Here's a change of pace from this holiday week.  A neighbor asked me to make a birthday card for a man in her family who was turning 60.  I have this quote I love from a book of cards sentiments I bought a few years ago.

With a saying like this inside the card a telephone image is perfect.  So I used the one in Suburbia and a balloon from Create a Critter.

I saw the 'happy birthday' on a card in Pinterest and made one up that was similar. (Sorry I didn't write down the name.)  With a touch of glitter on the number and a coiled paper connecting the phone to the sign, the card is done.

Please continue to visit Exploring Cricut and join us next Monday for another challenge.

I hope you all have a happy, holy, joyful holiday and a year of blessings and peace.
Rae Ann

Meow-y Christmas Card at Exploring Cricut

Hello!  Today I have the card I made for the family that gave me my cat.  He was originally called 'Butterscotch' which matches his colors but I renamed him 'DeeJay' because he is quite a talker and it made me think of some of the quick-talking DJ's of the 60's and 70's

 

 

I used the Meow cartridge for the little cat, milk and bowl and fishbone.  I used the Just Because cartridge to cut out the shape that the photo sits in.  I actually cut a 2 1/2 inch hole in the tree paper, and a 2 inch hole in the white; then, I mounted the picture behind them.  The little Christmas lights came from the Create a Critter cartridge; they decorate the reindeer's head.  The touch of glitter on one side of them really brightened up the card.

 

I think this is the best picture I've ever been able to take of DeeJay.  He usually turns away when he sees the camers.  My friends always ask about him so I know they'll like this card.

 

Please continue to visit Exploring Cricut each day for inspiration from our design team and join us next Monday for another challenge.

 

I hope all of you are safe and well as this weather changes into winter mode.

Have fun creating.

Rae Ann



A Disney Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to this week's challenge at Exploring Cricut: use a Disney character in a card, layout, or project.  The only cartridge I have with Disney characters is Tinker Bell and Friends; I love the old-Disney cartoon style they have.

The Disney cuts can be difficult because of the very tiny pieces in them.  I cut Tink at 3 inches which was much to small for some of the cutouts so I used Distress Markers for eyes, mouth, and hair ribbon.  To get her skin tone the way I wanted I cut her in white and used Copic markers E00 and E11 to color and shade in shadows.  Pixie wings have to be special so I always cut out the filigree cut, trim it to fit on the wings and then use glitter glue to sparkle them up.  The 1 inch butterfly came from Create a Critter but everything else is from Tinker Bell & Friends.  I think she is so cute!

Please, join our challenge at Exploring Cricut with a Disney character of your own.  And, please, continue to check out Exploring Cricut each day for inspiration from out design team.

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Down on the Farm Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Hello!  This week we challenge you to create a card, layout, or papercraft project that includes at least one farm animal.  One of my favorites is the cow from the Create a Critter cartridge.

The cute little barn is one of the related cuts; I just added the white strips to the door and a little bling heart inside the heart shape on the barn.  The flowers came from elsewhere in the same cartridge, one cut at 1 inch and the other at 1 1/2.  The grass is actually from the last page of Everyday Paper Dolls.  It's the grass with cattails.  I cut it at one inch, then trimmed off the cattails which leaves a nice grassy looking strip.
Please join us with your own design for this challenge at Exploring Cricut.  Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

My Day at Exploring Cricut

Hello!  It's been a slow week for me; the heat is taking all the 'oomph' out of me but I do have some cards to share.  A neighbor asked me to make some birthday cards for her grandsons, ages 3 and 5.  Here's what I did.
The first one is from Teddy Bear Parade. The letters for 'Hi' came from the Suburbia cartridge and the 'Happy Birthday' came from Create a Critter.

 The second card came from Paper Doll Dress Up.  I accidently cut the female cape but I liked the flowng look of it and kept it.  The 'superhero' sentiment came from the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge.

Cricut makes doing birthday cards so easy.  There are so many themes to pick from.  I hope you like them.
Have fun creating and, please, continue to check out Exploring Cricut each day for inspiration from out design team.
Rae Ann

Ice Cream Month Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome.  Our challenge this week is based on the fact that it is Ice Cream Month.  Create a card, layout or project that fits the theme.

I remembered a shop that used to make "the kitchen sink".  It was a sundae for a party served in an actual kitchen sink-lots of flavors, toppings, fruit;  I think it served 25 people.  My sunday isn't that big, but big enough.

I used the Pagoda cartridge for the bowl (love this one) and the cutouts from it for a little decoration on the side.  I couldn't find the ice cream I wanted so the scoops, believe it or not, are turtle shells from Create a Critter.  The bananas came from there, too; I just trimmed off the sides that made it look like a peeling banana.  The 'whipped cream' is from the top of an ice cream cone in the Best of 2007 cartridge; and the spoon is from the baker accesories in Everyday Paper Dolls.  Some goodies from my stash (I forgot I had this ribbon) and here's my yummy celebration of Ice Cream Month.

Please come join us at Exploring Cricut to see more inspiration, then enter your interpretation of the theme to join in the fun.

Thanks for stopping by; keep cool.
Rae Ann

Exploing Cricut's Mother's Day Challenge & Blog Hop

Welcome to our Eploring Cricut Mother's Day Challenge and Blog Hop.  This is the first time I'm participating in one as a member of team and I'm looking forward to it. If you have not arrived here from Georgiana's blog, go to Diana's blog to begin the hop  so you won't miss any of the inspiration and prize possibilites.

My card is a litle different from usual Mother's Day cards.  For my contribution I was thinking of  the old show, 'Queen for a Day' (Am I dating myself or what?)  The retro look of the cut in Suburbia was just right.  I made the crown from the Create a Critter cartridge (the frog's crown) and the phrase came from Holiday Cakes.  The swirls were from a die cut I was trying out. Some red Studio-g glitter gives the impression of flowers.  I love how the silhouette looks against the floral paper.

Please join in this week's challenge by entering your Mother's Day card, layout or paper project at Exploring Cricut.  We look forward to seeing your entry.

I am so glad to have you stop by that I am offering some blog candy: a set of Inkadoo Celtic stamps, a set of clear journaling stamps called memory boxes,, and a Darice embossing folder called Swirls and a Bird.

To win, you do NOT HAVE to become a follower but I would be very happy if you would.  Just leave a comment to let me know you stopped by.  I'll announce the winner of my blog candy next Monday when I have my day at Exporing Cricut.

Here's our blog hop list.  Your next stop is Emily.  Thanks for coming; enjoy the hop!

Diana http://craftypeepdb.blogspot.com -- START HERE
Sharon http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com
Donna  http://wwwkindredkreations.blogspot.com
Georgiana  http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com
Rae Ann   http://joyinart.blogspot.com ---YOU ARE HERE
Emily  http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com ---NEXT STOP
Annette  http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com
Michelle P  http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com
Kathy  http://kathy213-kathyscorner.blogspot.com
Michelle S  http://cricutcrazyscrapper.blogspot.com
Liz  http://unikbyyes.blogspot.com
Diane  http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

 

A New Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to our Easter Challenge.  Make a card, layout, or other paper project for Easter.  Use the Cricut, of course.  I made a very simple banner to put on my apartment door.  I used Create a Critter for the rabbit, chick, and basket, Spring Cottage for the eggs (the large ones were cut using the real size button), and Phrases to cut out the banner shapes.

Sorry that the picture isn't that great.  The hallway lighting isn't that good for pictures.

Please join us at Exploring Cricut with your project.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

A Class called Pattern Play

Hi, everyone.  I found reference to this class on a blog I was following and the price was very reasonable so I signed on.  It's at Online Card Classes and it is called Pattern Play. It's running Mar. 18 to the 23rd and each day there is a new emphasis on uses for patterned paper.  I've been slow in making my own because some back trouble is slowing me down but here's the one I made for the Day 1 info. - making choices of patterns that will work together.

I've never used the flower rows before because I couldn't think of a way to use them.  I like how this worked out.  I also decided to use the flowers as an embellishment, which was another days topic.

I used the cricut Create a critter cartridge for the bunny, carrots and basket.  The ovals came from cricut's George and Basic Shapes cartridge.  The stamp was a $1 special at Michael's.  Some bling in the 3 flowers and a scrap of edging finished off the card.

Thanks for looking.
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Kiss Me I'm Irish

This might be my one and only St. Patrick's Day card.  I'm not big on celebrating this day but this idea was too cute to pass up.

The frog prince is taking advantage of the opportunity!  He's cut from cricut's Create a Critter.  The hat and shamrock were found in Paper Doll Dress Up, and the lettering is one of the fonts from Suburbia.  Bling for eyes, lips drawn in for kissing, and a few glittery shamrocks drawn in completed the image.
I'm entering this little guy in the following challenges:
Paper Playtime - Anything goes
Bitten By The Bug2 - Use a shamrock
Scrappy Frog Challenge - Use green
Craft it up and Link it up at Craftin Desert Divas - Anything goes

Click on the name of the challenge to visit and enjoy seeing all the entries .

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Looking Forward to Sunny Days at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to my day at Exploring Cricut.  The weatherman, today, reported below normal temperatures to continue with heavy cloud coverage over the next few days.  I'm ready for some sunny days so I made this card.

I started out using the circle and scalloped circle idea for the background of a focus image but the combination of these 2 paper made me think of a sunflower and the card took off from there.  The sunflower circles came from cricut's Graphically Speaking cartridge.  The fence was cut from the last page of Paper Doll Dress Up.  The sun and bird both came from Create a Critter.  The bird was cut at 1 inch; isn't it cute.  The bow made of twine was the finishing touch.

Please stop by Exploring Cricut  each day for some great ideas from our design team.  Watch out for our challenges and please join us.

I will also be entering this in the Craft It Up Linky Partry at Craftin Desert Divas where the theme is 'anything goes.'
Have a sunny day.
Rae Ann

Crafts with Cutters Challenge - Love your Pet

This card kind of came together by accident.  Don't you love when that happens.  The cat was made for another purpose, which didn't work, and the circle was intended for another card, but was too big.  Everything worked out well here.The circle is cut from the Graphically Speaking cartridge, everything else is from Create a Critter.  My wonderful cat is pictured in my other post for Exploring Cricut's Challenge.  This card is being entered in  Crafts with Cutters, Love your Pet challenge, at My Papercrafting, go take a look and gather some inspiration.
Happy Creating.
Rae Ann O.
.

Love Your Pet Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Hello, everyone!  Today exploring cricut invites you to create a card, layout, or papercraft containing your favorite pet or any animal of your choice.  I'll describe my project first before getting carried away telling you about my wonderful cat.

I've been slowly adding to a mini-album I made for family photos.  I saved the inside of the back cover for my guy.  The letters for his name were cut with my new cricut cartridge, Suburbia.  The mouse and the phrase "let's play" were cut from the Create a Critter cartridge.

DeeJay was found and rescued by my doctor's family.  They named him butterscotch.  Since they already had several cats, when my cat died they asked if I would take him.  I quickly found out that he's a 'talker' and I wanted a name that reflected that so he became DeeJay.  His favorite toy is a tiny mouse that he tosses and chases all over the apartment.  When the mice are lost under furniture he does the same with scraps of paper that fell on the floor.  He is very loving and I'm so lucky to have him.

Please, enter you creations and share about your pet in our Love Your Pet challenge at Exploring Cricut.  See you there.
Rae Ann