Phoenix's Howl-O-Ween Costume!

Since adopting Phoenix earlier this month he has been very protective of his new mommy! Having lived out on a farm for several months, he's getting used to the apartment life with all it's "new" noises! So what better costume for him than a "Watch Dog"?! All it took was some felt, puffy paint, pipe cleaners, velcro and hot glue!

He even won "Most Thought-Provoking" at PetCo's Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest and "Most Creative Dogstume" at our community Halloween Party!

I have to admit, though, I did borrow the idea from a costume for sale online but knowing I could easily make the same thing (much cheaper!), I refused to buy it and went to Michael's instead!

BITTEN BY THE BUG - October Contest Entry

CHRISTMAS GIFT CARD HOLDER

Wow! I have just been over to the Bitten by the BUG site and I have to say I am impressed with everyone's take on this month's contest! I'm also VERY nervous because I have never entered and decided this month would be my first! Of course, I couldn't resist checking out the other projects and am up against some beautiful creations!

The contest was to create something using the circle cut from various Cricut cartridges but the catch was you needed to make the circle into some kind of Christmas ornament!

Here is my entry (with description to follow)! I apologize for the pictures, as many are blurry AND I couldn't decide which pictures I liked best...so there are quite a few! It is hard to photograph details! Apparently, I need to ask Santa for a newer camera that will take better "close-up" shots! :) I hope you enjoy my creation!

Outside w/ 3-D ornament

Outside - Can you see the multiple "3-D" layers of the ornament?


Outside Close-up

Outside Overview [again!]

Inside Overview

Inside Overview [again!]

Inside - Left Flap Close-Up

Inside - Left Flap Close-Up

Inside - Middle - Gift Card Pocket

Inside - Overview of Middle and Right Flap

Inside - Right Flap Close-Up

DETAILS:

I started by cutting two pieces of paper 12" wide and 3.5" high. I adhered the two pieces of paper together (one for the outside, one for the inside) and folded the left side over 4.5 inches and the right side over to create a flap. The paper used was Creative Memories-Shades of Red (for the outside) and "Christmas Cheer" (for the inside). I rounded the corners for a "finished" look. I cut about an inch off the top of a large Creative Memories Memorabilia Pocket and adhered it to the inside center of the holder (to hold the gift card!). I tea-dyed the edges of the holder, inside and out and then used Christmas Glitter Glue to brighten up the outside edges! I adhered the "Don't Open Til Christmas" ribbon to use as a closure. Using the George cartridge, I cut 7 circles at 2" (3 using the "Christmas Cheer" paper and 4 using the striped paper from the CM-Shades of Red. Taking one of each paper circle, I folded the pair in half and then cut the crease to the center of the circle. I did this on the other 2 pairs, leaving the last circle whole. I slid the slits of each pair into each other to create a 3-D effect. I used Cat's Eye Black to ink the edges of each circle and adhered one pair to the circle I had left whole (for stability). Then I used a precision point adhesive to glue each pair of "ornaments" in to each other, in a nesting fashion, completing the 3-D effect. I added a piece of Gold CM paper to create an ornament topper as well as metallic gold ribbon (as the "hanger") and rhinestones on the ornament as a finishing touch. I adhered the ornament to the front of the Gift Card Holder using CM Photo Splits and added gift stickers to the right flap as decoration.

For the inside, I cut Santa and two of his reindeer from the Paper Dolls cartridge. I used CM papers for these three additions and outlined them in black ink so they would stand out against the white background. Santa took the most time, mainly because I put great detail into him (but he's my personal favorite)! I added rhinestones to enhance each of their noses! I adhered a "Christmas Collections-Earthy" Sticker to the bottom of the memorabilia pocket and inserted the gift card for safe keeping! (Yes, it is a real Walmart Christmas Gift Card!)

Cricut Cartridge Cuts:

"George" Cartridge

"3-D" Ornament - Cut at 2"

~7 Circles Cuts (4 in Red Stripe, three in "Christmas Cheer")

"Paper Dolls" Cartridge

Santa Claus - Cut at 3"

~1 Body Cut (black ink for the eye brows and eyes)

~2 Santa Jacket Cuts (one in red, one in white for cuffs; black ink for accents)

~1 Santa Pants Cut (in red)

~1 Santa Hair Cut (in white)

~1 Santa Beard Cut (in white; black ink for accents)

~2 Santa Hat Cuts (one in red, one in white for accents; black ink for accents)

~1 Santa Mittens Cut (in black)

~2 Santa Boots Cuts (one in black, one in white for cuffs)

~2 Santa Belt Cuts (one in black for belt, one in gold for buckle)

Reindeer next to Santa - Cut at 3"

~2 Mrs. Claus-Reindeer Cuts (one in sand, one in brown for antlers/hooves; black ink for accents)

Reindeer on Right Flap - Cut at 3"

~2 Elf-Reindeer Cuts (one in brown, one in sand for antlers/hooves; black ink for accents)

An October Afternoon at the Beach!

The link below will bring you to a PhotoBucket Album of pictures I took on October 21st at the BEACH! It was a beautiful day and Phoenix's first time to the shore! Both he and my niece, Haley, had a great time running in the sand!


CLICK HERE to see the pics!

Happy Birthday Gift Card Holder

Happy Birthday Gift Card Holder

I created this gift card holder completely by hand, with the exception of the words "Happy Birthday" on the inside, which were cut using my Cricut (Tear Drop cartridge)!

I started by cutting two pieces of paper 12" wide and 3.5" high. I adhered the two pieces of paper together (one for the outside, one for the inside) and folded the left side over 4.5 inches and the right side over to create a flap. The paper used was Creative Memories (Shades of Purple) as well as the inside stickers (Jumbo Great Lengths-Purples). I cut an inch off the top of a large Creative Memories Memorabilia Pocket and adhered it to the inside center of the holder (to hold the gift card!). I tea-dyed the edges of the holder, inside and out. I also added some heart shaped rhinestones to the stickers on the inside. I cut the "Happy Birthday" using CM Shades of Purple Paper (to match the stickers!) at 2" using the Cricut Tear Drop cartridge and adhered each word to the inside of the holder. I don't know who made the stickers I used for the outside of the holder, but the birthday cake candles actually light up with the touch of a button! I adhered ribbon to the holder and tied it to make the closure!

I am VERY excited about this project and can't wait to try other variations! Please check out the pictures below and leave your comments!!

My VERY 1st CRICUT Project!!!

I created this scrapbook title page using my NEW Cricut Die-Cut Machine. Let me tell you...I have been "Bitten by the BUG", as it has been said! (Thank you for the inspiration, Regina! Check out Regina's blog: http://regina-bittenbythebug.blogspot.com/ to see some awesome Cricut projects!!)

That being said, this project was completed before I knew there was an epidemic of BUG creators! :)

WELCOME!

Hi All! I created this blog to post some of my creative-ness for you to enjoy! PLEASE leave your honest feedback on any of my posts, as I always appreciate constructive criticism! Thanks for looking! :)