Crafter's Choice Challenge at Exploring Cricut and More

Welcome, again.  For this crafter's choice challenge at least one pattern and solid cardstock must be used.  A sentiment stamp I haven't used was the inspiration for this card.  With a sentiment about wishes I had to make a genie.

The card itself is pre-cut and scored from The Paper Cut, a vendor that was here at the Heirloom Productions RubberStamping and Paper Arts Festival last weekend.  The genie and her accessories are all from Cricut's Paper Doll Dress Up.  You can't see her cute bare midriff because I folded her arm to make it look more like she is holding the lamp.  She was cut at 3 inches; the genie lamp was cut at 2 inches; and, the genie's bottle was cut at 2 1/2 inches.  The cityscape was cut at 1 1/4 inches.
Other Cricut cuts were from Paper Lace 2 (the rounded rectangle behind the genie), designs from Picturesque (cut at 1 inch) and the sentiment base (cut at 1 inch) from Phrases.

I added some gold glitter to her hair decoration and her necklace, some diamond glitter to the bottle and 2 little purple gems to the sentiment.

Even with the card all ready to fold it took a bit of time to put this together.  It was fun.

Please join our challenge with YOUR CHOICE (with at least one pattern paper and cardstock) and post it at Exploring Cricut and More.  Visit everyday to see all the great ideas our team comes up with.  I look forward to seeing your entry.
Thanks for stopping by.
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

Christmas Cards with Exploring Cricut

Well, with Thanksgiving over is everyone in the Christmas mood.  Here at Exploring Cricut we are.  The challenge this week is to make a Christmas card using any cartridge, any colors.
My card is made from A Quilted Christmas and Phrases (I  think it's called a pedestal card).  It's the standard A2, 4 1/4 x  5 1/2 inches.  I used some leftover Christmas paper from last year and touched-up Santa with gold glitter on his coat and a product called Snow Write on the clothing edges (it goes on solid white but dries to a pretty glitter).
The "stopper" to help the card stand is a row of poinsetta's from the Phrases cartridge which I glued onto a strip of cardstock to make it rise up a little..

 

I hope our challenge is putting you in the spirit to make some cards.  Please show us your creations at Exploring Cricut.  Visit the blog today and everyday for ideas from our design team.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy creating.

Rae Ann

My Monday at Exploring Cricut

Where I live is a wonderful mix of people from various countries, of various faiths.  The Phrases cartridge has a beautiful design to use for those who will be celebrating Hanukkah this week.

This is a standard 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch card.  The Phrases cartridge has beautiful sentiment arrangements so the sentiment can be the focus of the card.  Use a pretty background paper and a little bling and you have a beautiful card.  There are 4 colors in this: yellow, gray and 2 shades of blue.

Please, continue to visit Exploring Cricut for daily ideas of what you can do with the cricut and join us for our bi-weekly challenges.

Whatever you celebrate this week, ENJOY!
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Count Your Blessings Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to another challenge.  The holiday stretch is approaching (as any store will demonstrate) and we are reminded by Thanksgiving of how much we have to be thankful for.  Our challenge is to create a card, layout, or any other paper craft with a Thanksgiving theme.
I love the Pilgrim Bird in the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge so I decided to showcase him.

I bought the background paper at A.C. Moore; I wanted something that expressed 'bounty' and this field of pumpkins was the closest to what I had in mind.  The pilgrim was cut at 4 inches.  I used the Phrases cartridge to cut the background for the stamped sentiment and cut it at 1 1/4 inches.  The corners (which are always great fillers) came from Picturesque and were cut at 1 Inch.  I even trimmed some off of the lower corner. I hope you like it.

Please join our challenge this week with your project with a Thanksgiving theme.  Enter them at Exploring Cricut and continue to visit us each day for ideas from the design team.

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Cricut Choice Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome to this week's challenge.  It's called "Cricut Choice".  Make a card, layout, or any papercraft project using at least one patterned paper, 2 cricut cuts, and 3 colors.  It can be any theme.

My choice was another Christmas card using the new Winter Wonderland cartridge.  I decided to use red, green, and gold as my colors. The decorative spray at the top was cut at 2 inches; the bell was cut at 2 1/2 inches.  I used a small piece of decorative cord to connect them.  I didn't use one of the paper layers that came with the design because I don't have the kind of gold paper I imagined for this project; I used glitter glue in the decorating instead.

The banner I used is from the Phrases cartridge.  I cut it at 1 1/4 inches.

We at Exploring Cricut look forward to seeing you interpretation of this challenge.  Please join us with your entry.
Happy creating.
Rae Ann

Happy Birthday Exploring Cricut Blog Hop

We're celebrating!  Exploring Cricut is 3 years old.  Celebrate with us by visiting all of our design team and then entering your design for this challenge.  Create a card, layout, or some papercraft that celebrates a birthday event.  Include at least one button, brad, or jewel.

I chose to use the  great cake in the Everyday Pop-Up Cards cartridge.  I made the cake at 4 inches, added stickles to the drapes and mini jewels between the drapes.  The word 'Celebrate' came from the Phrases cartridge; that was the hardest part of the card.

I love when you leave comments and it would be great to have you as a follower.  Thanks for stopping by.   To start at the beginning of our blog hop go to Sharon, otherwise, your next stop is Emily

Here is our blog hop line-up.  After visiting everyone, be sure to enter your project at Exploring Cricut.

Sharon http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com
Donna http://wwwkindredkreations.blogspot.com
Lori http://scrappinsaints.blogspot.com
Rae Ann http://joyinart.blogspot.com  <--- You are here
Emily http://emilyqueenofallthingscrafty.blogspot.com
Annette http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com
Michelle N http://justanutterpapercrafter.blogspot.com
Michelle S http://cricutcrazyscrapper.blogspot.com
Liz http://unikbyyes.blogspot.com
Diane http://happyscrapperdiane.blogspot.com
Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

Headstart on Christmas for Exploring Cricut

Hello, again.  Last week I was sharing cartridges with a friend and my cartridge "A Quilted Christmas" came to my attention.  I decided to try some of the cards.  I don't usually like to use a card option because I'm bored if every detail is already planned for me, but I enjoyed these.  I have a Personal Cricut so the maximum cut size is 5 1/2 inches.  That worked out well for standard A2 cards.  Four pictures follow.

I did these the way the cartridge cuts them.  The gold paper I used under the cuts is very sparkly so I didn't think it needed anything else on the outside.

With each of these I did a little touch-up to make it more 'mine'.  On the reindeer I added diamond stickles to the design on the banner;  It changed the color of the underlayer and added some contrast.  I also added a stick-on star, also coated with diamond stickles.

 

The little shepherd is also pictured below.  I added a touch of  stickles to the rim of his hat and added the computer printed sentiment.

 

The star looked really plain to me until I outlined each triangle with stickles.  It's not really visible in the photo but in person it is quite majestic looking.

 

The 'merry Chrismas' card beow is made with the poinsetta edge from 'A Quilted Christmas'.  The sentiment was cut from the Phrases cartridge.

 

After all the cut-out cards I wanted to do a  'real' Santa; he's from the same cartridge.  The letters are from Suburbia (I love that font!)

Each card has a computer printed sentiment inside.  I found a book online, "Say It With Style 2" edited by Tnaya Fox.  It is FILLED with sentiments for using in cards, all occasions, and I found some lovely ones to use for Christmas.

 

I hope this inspires you to get a head start for the season.  I hope to sell some at an upcoming sale in our apartment complex.  Have fun.  Keep creating.  And, keep looking in at Exploring Cricut.

 

Have a great week.

Rae Ann



Some Cards and ATC's

Wow! It seems like such a long time since I've posted. How does so much fit into so few days?
I finally had a chance to catch up with things I need for a Yahoo group swap that I'm in.  Here's a look:
This swap is anything with butterflies on it.  I made good use of my cricut , Picturesque and Phrases, to create this one.

This next card needed to use watercolors on it.  I rubbed distress inks on a sheet of plastic and used them as watercolors with a wet brush.

And, last but not least, these ATC's are based on a favorite quote as a focus:

If felt good to be working on these.
Thanks for stopping by.
Rae Ann

My Day at Exploring Cricut

First, I'd like to share that I had a great time this weekend at our once-a-year Scrapbooking and Stamping Show.

Heirloom Productions brings this show each spring and I only live a few blocks away.  Talk about convenient!  I saved up so I could spend more than I usually do.  Most of my money went toward filling in my missing colors of distress ink pads and markers.  With the show's lower prices I really made each dollar count.  It was a most enjoyable weekend.
My project today was created for Earth Day which will be here soon. 

The earth came from the Phrases cartridge and the tree came from the Cindy Loo cartridge.  The tiny bird I cut out from a picture I found; the white flower and the background paper and corners came from my stash.  The tree is on foam dots to add dimension.
Please continue to visit Exploring Cricut for daily inspiration from out design team and a new challenge next Monday.

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

Luck of the Irish Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Hello, everyone.  We have a new challenge startring today at Exploring Cricut.  Make a card, layout, or papercraft using a shamrock for St. Patrick's Day.  Here's what I came up with:

The leprechaun is from Cricut's Paper Doll Dress Up; the shamrock is on that same page.  This is the first time I've used my Peachy Keen face stamps.  Isn't he cute.  The sentiment was cut using the Phrases cartridge; the flourish came from Picturesque.  I used vintage photo distress in to lightly edge the leprechaun.  On the shamrock I used the metallic gold from Ranger.  The papers, lace, and green rhinestones were found in my stash.

I can't wait to see what you do with this theme.  Join us at Exploring Cricut for this week's challenge.

Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

Here's Cupid

At Bitten by the Bug 2 the challenge is to include a cupid or a heart.  This gave me a reason to use the Cupid Bear in Teddy Bear Parade.  These bears are so cute!

A little bit of vintage photo distress ink helps to accent the cuts.  I used the Phrases cartridge to create the hearts.  I used the same one, 1/2 inch difference, on floral paper and white, then added the word 'love' from the same cartridge.  I'm using these corners a lot lately; I like their design and they make a nice filler.  They come from the Picturesque cartridge.  A couple of rhinestones from my stash and it was done.  I like the delicate look it has.

I am entering this card in Bitten by the Bug 2 (include a cupid or heart) and My Craft Spot (For your sweetheart).

Be sure to visit both challenges to see all the entries.

Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

Winter Birthday Card

It's still winter and several challenges have themes of snowmen, snow, and winter celebrations.  This card looks simple, although it did take a bit of work, and I like how it came out.

The snowman was cut from Cricut's A Quilted Christmas; the  Birthday sign was cut from the Phrases cartridge and modified slightly so it would look like it was flying from the pole (toothpick).  The large snowflakes are from a Martha Stewart punch and they are decorated with some rhinestones and diamond stickles.  The stickles also add touches to the snow.  The background paper is a leftover from some Christmas paper.

I am entering this little guy in the following challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations - snowmen
Bitten By The Bug 2 - Frosty the Snowman
Whimsical Wednesday at Whimsical Designs- Winter Wonderland - Sparkle and 1 or more snowflakes
Crafts with Cutters at My Papercrafting - Chilly Celebration

Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

Welcome Baby with Lots of Love

The challenge at Created with Love Challenges is to make a Baby Shower card.  Meljens designs is sponsoring so I decided to use a digi of theirs.

 

The framework and sentiment were cut using the cricut Phrases cartridge.  Everything else came from my stash.  I am also entering this in the Digi Makeover challenge, Hearts Galore.

 

Be sure to visit both challenges to see all the great entries.

For the Created with Love challenge, click here.

For the Digi Makeover challenge, click here.



Happy Creating, everyone.
Rae Ann

Exploring Cricut Challenge - Cricut Choice

Exploring Cricut has a great challenge this week.  The challenge requires at least 1 embellishment, 2 patterned papers, and 3 cricut cuts.
Since I became a member of the Exploring Cricut Design Team I've tried to go beyond my comfort zone into types of projects I don't usually do.  This challenge is perfect for a decoration for my apartment door.  I photographed it on a closet door because I never get good quality pictures in the hallway.  The doors are metal; I found magnet hooks that work well.

The 3 cricut cuts are the Queen and King of Hearts from Teddy Bear Parade and the banners from the Phrases cartridge.  The 2 patterned papers are a pink and light green background paper for the Queen and King and the pinkish-red patterned paper on the center triangle.  That pinkish-red pattern is also used in the Queen's skirt and crown and the King's jacket and crown.  The embellishments are the red glittered hearts on the center triangle.  I stamped Happy Valentine's Day with a $1 stamp from Michael's onto white paper I cut for it.
Check out what the other members of the Design Team did and join us in the challenge at Exploring Cricut.

I am also entering this is in DL.ART Thankful Thursday - Red or Pink and
In The Pink - Distressed ( I used distress ink to edge the clothing so the patterned paper would stand out better.)

Happy Creating.
Rae Ann

Red, White, and Black at Cardz TV

The title says it all --- red, white, and black.

 

I used the cricut Create a Critter cartridge for the Love Stamp image, and the Phrases cartridge for the phrase.  It came together so easily. I love the way the phrases print out with that cartridge.

Go to  Cardz TV where you'll see many more entries.

Happy Creating
Rae Ann

 

An Envelope Mini-Album

I'm beginning to think I'm psychic.  This is the 3rd time recently that I've been working on a project and it turns out to perfectly match a current challenge theme.  This one will be entered in the Fantabulous Cricut 'Get Organized' challenge.  (I'M ALSO GOOFY! I NAMED IT INCORRECTLY.  I USED GREEN BAGS I BOUGHT AT MICHAELS, NOT ENVELOPES.  ENVELOPES I'LL USE IN MY NEXT ONE. Sorry.for the error.)

My sister moved to Florida last summer.  Every so often she emails me pictures which I save on the computer or sometimes print out.  They're not too handy to look at that way so I decided to make a place to collect them.  I used the envelope mini-album demonstrated by Steph Miller on You Tube.  It's definitely a work-in-progress because I have more to add and more will be coming.

Jennifer Rzasa was kind enough to explain how she created a picture collage for her site (Our Change of Art) so I can save you from scrolling through 10 photos.  I didn't want to display faces on the internet without their permission so I made little post-it-note cover-ups.

I'm finding wonderful phrases appropriate to pictures throughout the cricut cartridges.  So far, I've used Phrase, 3 Birds on Parade, Graphically Speaking, Holiday Cakes and Picturesque.
I had a lot of trouble getting these pictures in here today.  But, here they are.  Please go to Fantabulous Cricut to see the other great organizational projects being entered in this challenge.

Happy creating.
Rae Ann

A Sweet Card

Red Carpet Studio is presenting a challenge based on the theme "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".  This one tickled my imagination.  How could I make a card that actually paid homage to Willie Wonka?  Here's my attempt.

To make this I used a number of cricut cartridges: Art Deco for the frame; Teddy Bear Parade for the hat, Just Because for the word, ice cream and drink, and Holiday Cakes for the peppermints.  It took quite a while to gather all the elements.  I like how it turned out.

Visit Red Carpet Studio to see entries for this challenge.

Have a blessed and peaceful Happy New Year, everyone.
Rae Ann

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a marvelous holiday.  It's time to look forward to a New Year and great things.  I am now honored to be a part of the Design Team for Exploring Cricut.  The perfect place for me because that's what I love to do - explore cricut and its great potential.  Here's my first card for the New Year.

I used stamps for the chandelier and the timepieces on the side panels.  The dancers are from the cricut Art Deco cartridge.  "Happy New Year" was made from the Phrases cartridge, and the balloons were made from the George and Basic Shapes cartridge.

I wish you all many blessing this New Year and a world filled with more peace and joy.

Happy Creating!

Rae Ann