Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Back to School Teacher Gift by Laura C

Back to School Teacher Gift by Laura C





It's back to school time!  I always have mixed emotions, but one thing I love to do is give the
teacher(s) a little "welcome back" gift.  I think it's a great way to start off the year!  This
project was made using an inexpensive (less than $3!!) supply set with paper clips, rubber bands,  push pins.




I just dressed it up with paper and ribbons from my stash!!  Of course, you would "size" this project to the containers you find, but I used layers of red and black cardstock, and some school ribbon (any ribbon would work!).  For the top, I used Spellbinders dies to cut and layer circles for the top, and I embossed the top circle with the Cuttlebug A2 swiss dot folder to add  texture.  I used sticker letter for the word "supplies", but you Cricut users could do that as well!  The "topper" is made using one of the heavy metal clips.  I traced and cut the apple out  of AC glitter paper (rouge and cricket) and a second apple in black cardstock.  I used score tape to attach the apple to each side of the clip.  The cardstock "chalkboard" slips in between the clip.  It can be used as a note holder during the year! 

It's always great to let the teacher know you appreciate them, and a simple, inexpensive, but heartfelt gift, can
really start the year off right!

Available at Cutter's Creek:

Cuttlebug embossing folders (A2 swiss dot)
American Crafts glitter cardstock (rouge and cricket)
Spellbinders dies (circles and scalloped circles)  

Monday, August 30, 2010

Copic Mondays - Cricut & Copic Roses by Laura Burleson



Today's video will teach you how to make these cute and easy flowers using your Copic Airbrush system and your Cricut Expression!



Products Available from Cutters Creek:

Cricut Expression
Cricut Cartridges - Paisley, Forever Young, Sweet Treats, Cindy Loo & many more 
Copic Airbrush System
Copic Sketch Markers ( I used R81 and R85 along with R29 and R89 for this video)
Glue Dots

Sunday, August 29, 2010

4 Teacher Card, by Laura C

Want to start the school year off right??  How about an "apple" for the teacher?



This sweet card was made using a 4&1/4" by 5&1/2" red cardstock as the base, with edges inked in black.  Next layer is a piece of white cardstock embossed with the Cuttlebug A2 swiss dot folder.  I cut it down to 4" by 3" and rounded the top corners.  I took a cut out I made of an apple (**editor's note see below),  placed it where I wanted, and sprayed it with Glimmer Mist in Candy Apple Red. The bottom half is the Autumn Type A2 folder, embossed on Core'dinations cardstock (yellow) from the Hocus Pocus Black Magic collection.  This was trimmed to 4" by 2 & 1/4".....I made sure to trim so the words "school time" were in this section, and I sanded these words to make them "pop".  I also rounded the bottom corners.  Both pieces were adhered to the base, and then I attached the ribbon.  The little chalkboard is a 1 & 1/2" by 2" piece of black cardstock mounted on a 1 & 3/4" by 2 & 1/4" piece of white cardstock inked with red ink.  The writing on the "chalkboard" was done with an Inkssentials white pen.

If you like this card.....keep your eye out.....in the next couple days, for a matching altered project gift set!! 



(**editor's note - Cricut Cartridges such as Preserves, From My Kitchen, and A Child's Year have apple cuts on them)

Available at Cutter's Creek:

Cuttlebug A2 embossing folders (swiss dot and autumn type)
Glimmer Mist (Candy Apple Red)
Core'dinations Cardstock (Black Magic Hocus Pocus collection)
Inkssentials Pen (white) 

Friday, August 27, 2010

Card Making with Cricut by Chris P.

I bought this book from Cutters Creek a while ago and it has sat on my shelf as I played with SCAL. Then when I was rearranging my art space, I realized I had so many Cricut cartridges that were not being utilized; I turned to the book to give me some ideas and reacquaint myself with them. I chose four different styles and to protect copyright I won’t be able to tell you exactly how to make them, but I will tell what changes I made and products used.



Card 1 uses the ZooBalloo cartridge and was the simplest to make using one of the Creative Features with one small exception. The card cut perfectly, but I found that in order to fool my expression into cutting the envelope I needed to tell it that the mat was 24 inches and not 12 even though there was enough paper on the mat for it to cut.



Card 2 uses Walk in My Garden (one of my all-time favorite cartridges). I changed the colors of the papers from bright and springy to a more subtle combination and left off the sentiment. I think this would work for a sympathy card or a thinking of you card. I also used my cuttlebug: swiss dots for the bellyband and stickles on the butterfly (golden rod on the wings and waterfall and lime ice on the body).




Cards 3 & 4 use the Wild Card cartridge, which until today wasn’t even opened. (Really have to stop hoarding materials and use them!) Card 3 is probably my favorite and such a different style than my usual work. I followed the directions exactly and of course had to use my American Craft glitter paper on the front and some pink stickles on the heart inside. To cut the glitter paper I used a multi-cut of 2 and a pressure of 5.


Card 4 also follows the directions, but I found the directions inaccurate when cutting the small bird. I needed to discard their version and recut a second branch out of the teal paper. Then I just trimmed the bird off and glued it directly over the original brown branch. To add some depth to the frame and opening I used Tattered Rose distress ink to edge the edges and to pop the words and the birds I used Pine Needles distress inks. Ialso added some Patina stickles for the eyes and rounded all four corners. One trick to share: the card was wider than my Swiss dots folder, but after once running the paper through, I carefully realigned the dots and reran to finish the card. That flattened one row of dots, but working from the inside and using the end of a crochet hook I was able to repop those dots.

While I don’t own every cartridge highlighted in this book, I still have many options and ideas to choose from. There are 47 different card styles and with different papers and embellishments the options are endless and there are a few more I want to try. Check it out and let me know which ones you try.

Cutters Creek Resources:
Cricut Cartridges: Walk in My Garden, ZooBalloo, Wild Card
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads—Tattered Rose, Pine Needles

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Back to School by Sandi




 I used my gypsy and the George and Basic Shapes cartridge to create the school bus. I used white cardstock  behind the bus windows and colored it with blue Copic markers and blue stickles.  I used white cardstock behind the headlights and colored those with yellow Copics and Stickles.  I covered the wheels with black stickles.  I used the Copic Airbrush System to add color to the background.  I also used the flowers image from the  Plantin School Book cartridge.  I added a bit of dimension with Glue Dots.

You can purchase the products listed below at Cutters Creek:

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Mandie's Cherry Card



This card was so quick and easy to put together and you can tailor it to almost any occasion! The finished size is 5” x 6 1/2”. I actually used scraps for both papers so my measurements aren’t exact but the brown cardstock was about 2 ½” x 5” so the cherry paper would be about 3 ½” x 5”. I embossed the brown with my Cuttlebug D’Vine Swirl embossing folder. 


Then I used some Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist to add the shimmer to my brown cardstock. Then I chose 3 different Color Me Crazy flowers and sprayed the largest with Scarlet Glimmer Mist and the Small with the Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist and left the medium one plain white. Then I adhered everything to the from of my card as shown with my Scor-Tape and Glue Dots. Simple and easy and I could add a sentiment to the front depending on the occasion! 

 
 
Cutters Creek Shopping List
 
Scor-Tape 
Glue Dots

 

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Oriental Weave Card by Sandi



When I received this Cuttlebug embossing folder -Oriental Weave  from Kim I knew just what I wanted to do.  I used colored cardstock with a white core center, which I lightly sanded to bring out the core.  I thought it looked oriental, so I searched for an appropriate stamp design and added dimension by using Super Fine Gold Embossing Power. I stamped it twice the second on red card stock and used only  the center  flower  to create more dimension and completed it by placing a Kaisercraft  Pearls in the center.  Behind the image I placed a Spellbinders Scallop Frame on a slightly different green cardstock  and again I sanded it to bring out the white core.  I cut four small flowers using a Cricut cartridges and covered them with Gold Stickles. After they dried I glued clear Twinkle Jewels (skittles) to  the centers.  I finished the card with an oriental looking patterned ribbon.

You can purchase the products listed below at Cutters Creek:

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ecstasy Crafts Project by Vicki


I was also lucky enough to get a sample of some really cute bears from Ecstasy Crafts. Since I am more of a scrapper than a card maker, I thought I would use these in a scrap layout rather than just on a card!

Like everyone said before me, these are incredibly easy to work with. The pieces pop out with very little effort - even the little ones! The edges are perfect - not like some die cuts where you have to trim off the little pieces where they were attached to the main sheet! I didn't have the recommended brand of pop dots, so I used my regular foam dots. This was like doing a paint-by-number. I started with the base piece, which included the pretty blue snow background, and added each piece sequentially, overlapping as needed. I tried to take a picture from the front so you could see how many layers each bear has.


I used paper I already had in my stash to set up the base layouts. I prefer symmetry in my work, so each side had the same size papers. The two bear paper piecings came on a single sheet that had a lovely matching strip of paper that resembles ribbon. I cut it in half and used each piece to accent the bears. Finally, I used some glitter Prima flowers to add some bling to my page and a simple Merry Christmas cutout to give my page a title.
So if you get a chance - try out the new Ecstasy products for fast, easy and beautiful projects!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Copic Mondays - Airbrush System by Laura Burleson

Wow, this video has been quite the production!

I have only done one little Flip video with music in the background, so recording this and adding the titles, etc. was quite a chore. I had some huge problems with software, etc. Anyway, please excuse the mess-ups LOL I was so nervous. I made a few wrong statements trying to not stop talking on the video.

For clarification, the Airbrush system is a pre-order through Cutters Creek. I think I made it sound like Kim has them in stock for immediate shipment, but what I meant was she stocks them in her store. I hope that makes sense. Like I said, I am a bit fried from doing this. I started on it yesterday at about noon. I gave up trying to upload at about 3 a.m., and well, it is now almost 9 p.m., and the video is finally done.




I do hope you enjoy the video edition. Let me know if you prefer videos or regular blog posts. I would like to cater to my audience!


Copic Mondays - Airbrush System by Laura Burleson

For this edition, I shot my very fist scrapbook tutorial type video. I am having some technical difficulties with the uploads. I have been at this sine 10 p.m. and it is now after 3 a.m. I am sorry, but I will have to start fresh in the morning. Please stay tuned! I hope you will like my first video!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Three new Seasonal Cartridges for Pre-Order

Per Linda over at Just A Scrappin' we have news of the new Winter Seasonal cartridges coming soon!
Here are the images for the 3 new seasonal cartridges that Provocraft will be releasing shortly. The Seasonal cartridges are 'minis' that retail for $24.99, and they are only available for a short time! Be sure to place your orders before they are gone And the new cartridges are:

* Thanksgiving


* Christmas Cards

* Christmas Village

Thursday, August 12, 2010

MORE ECSTASY CRAFTS CARDS! by Lori B.

Ecstasy Crafts - Cards Made Easy

Earlier this week on the Cutters Creek Design Team blog, Laura C. shared a beautiful card made with Ecstasy craft products, and I have some more. My cards use a foil kit, which are not currently in the store. Be sure to let Kim know if you'd like her to carry the foil styles; she's sure to be placing more order with EC based on customer interest! The other Ecstasy Crafts items in the store are just as easy to put together, and come in a variety of styles.

Here are the three cards made from my kit. I love the Victorian images, and the dimension really pops with these products. Simply layer with the Joy! Foam Pads for a beautiful card. The fact that they are so easy to put together is just a bonus!





The layered images are all numbered on the sheet so you know in what order to assemble them. It's best to punch out only the layer you are ready to use. When I was done assembling the images I simply matted them on coordinating cardstock. I chose card bases to match, and sponged the edges of each with matching stamping ink. I stamped on my sentiments and embossed with clear embossing powder. An even faster alternative to stamping is the Starform Stickers & Peel Offs; there are a lot of different choices available.

I know the cards look great from the front, but I thought you'd like to see the dimension from an angle as well. Just click on any picture to see it larger. Each card has several layers; the boy & girl under the umbrella has six layers!




To see the designs currently available, visit Cutters Creek and click on the Ecstasy Crafts link.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Christmas in July/August Chipboard Book by Chris P.



Here’s a simple project using Bo Bunny word books, left over wrapping paper, and stickles. I covered the word BELIEVE with several different Christmas wrapping papers and some red mulberry paper I had in my scrap bin. I also had some leftover strips of the AC glitter paper and cut them to back each page. I then used my fingertip craft knife to trim around the letters, sprayed all the pages using gold glimmer mist, and then inked all the edges, using Tim Holtz’s Barn Door Distress Ink and Ink foam applicator.


I made and matted cardstock photomats for each page. To give them a bit more of a finished look I tied ribbon around some and added several photo corners from the Storybook cartridge. I used my cricut markers to outline them at 1 and 1.25 inches and then cut. Next I rubbed each into the versamark inkpad and heated using clear embossing ink to give them some dimension and shine.

It needed some more glitz so I used my silver stickles to outline silver stars, the Christmas red to decorate the tree, pickett fence to outline the snowflakes and added two cardstock snowflakes with a clear Twinkle Jewel in each center. I used my Crop-a-Dile punch and 3 snowflake eyelets to finish off the front page. I had some leftover stickers that I randomly placed and, then, tied bits of ribbon here and there on the letters along with 3 larger bows on the metal rings. Now I have a stocking gift for one of my DDILs. I have never been this prepared before. I just hope I remember where I hide it when putting out the gifts in December—LOL.


Cutters Creek Resources:


Versamark Ink Pad

Monday, August 9, 2010

ECSTASY CRAFTS CARD KITS ARE HERE!! By Laura C.



Kim and our entire design team, is really excited about the new Ecstasy Crafts card kits from CHA!!  They are easy to use, but look AMAZING!!!

The how-to's are simple.....cut out the base from the first sheet, then adhere it to a card base, then start punching out each numbered layer.  This ship had 4 layers, and since it had quite a few fine details, I used a paper piercer to make the punching out even easier! Then you use pop dots to add each layer.  That's it!   Cutter's Creek has the Ecstasy Crafts pop dots available, including the micro dots, that make it easy to attach even the finest details.



This particular kit is one of the foil kits.  Kim is going to add these to the store if there is interest in them!   How can there not be?  Aren't these gorgeous?!!  So awesome, in fact that my hubby even commented on the card as I was making it....he said it looked amazing with only the first layer!  


You'll find these great kits, under the "Ecstasy Crafts" section at Cutter's Creek.  So many beautiful selections 
in the store for you to try out, and many go well with Flower Soft, too!  Don't forget to pick out some of the sentiments as well....you can even color these with your Copics!!

Try out these fun kits, and let us know what you think!

Available at Cutter's Creek:

Check out all the Ecstasy Card kits, foam dots,  and sentiments available.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Peace on Earth ~Flower Soft Card ~By Laura B.



This was a fast and easy card to make.  It took more time to drag out supplies than to finish the card.  I sprayed some of my Bazzill white cardstock with the Tattered Angels Midnight Blue Glimmer Mist.  I let it dry overnight in anticipation of making this card, and another similar one.  I cut the branch using my Winter Woodland Cricut Cartridge.  I only cut the branch layer at 2" using brown cardstock.

I stamped my sentiment on my dry and misted cardstock (cut at 4" by 5-1/4") using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  I matted the piece on a midnight blue cardstock cut at  4-1/8" x 5-3/8" using my Glue Glider Pro.

I added my snowflakes using some glitter stickers I had in my stash, and I covered them with Polar White Flower Soft instead of glitter.  I added more Flower Soft Glue to the snowflakes to make them fluffier, and then added more Flower Soft.  I also used my Flower Soft Glue to add "snow" to my tree branch. 

I really wish the picture could show you the "glisten" a bit better from the Polar White Flower Soft  It does look like falling snow!  It must look good.  My hubby actually called it "cool". 

Products Available at Cutters Creek:

Cricut Winter Woodland Cartridge
Cricut Machine
Cricut Spatula
Flower Soft Glue
Flower Soft Polar White
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Midnight Blue
Glue Glider Pro

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Penguin Let it Snow by Laura B.


This cutie penguin is from the Create-a-Critter cartridge. Can you tell I am on a roll with this cartridge?

Once again, I started with a kraft cardstock card. This time it is 5" x 5". I cut a single strip of paper at 2.75" x 5" and inked and chalked the edges. I added a lacy border using white cardstock using my trusty Glue Glider Pro. I attached the completed piece to my card using 3M Foam Squares.

My sentiment is stamped on my card using ink and fine white embossing powder. I added an ribbon tied in a simple knot.

Now for my cute little Penguin. I started with my dial settings on 3". Real size dial in off position. The shadow is cut using gray cardstock. The base layer is cut using black cardstock. Next I used white glitter cardstock for the layer 1, and yellow glitter cardstock for the layer 2 (feet and nose). Lastly, I used green glitter cardstock for the scarf - layer 3. For cutting the glitter papers, I set my blade at 3. I turned multi-cut on, and used medium speed. The slower speed really does make for better results on the thicker papers. I glued all of the layers together using my Zig 2-Way Glue Pen. It allows for a little movement while you are lining up your pieces, yet gives a secure hold.

I love this little guy! I added googly eyes with Glue Dots, and then used two layers of 3M Foam Tape to pop my Penguin off of the card.


I hope you give this simple, but fun card a try!



Items available at Cutters Creek:

Cricut Machine
Cricut Create-a-Critter Cartridge
Cricut Spatula
American Crafts Glitter Paper (White, Sunflower Yellow and Cricket Green)
Glue Dots
3M Foam Tape
Glue Glider Pro
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Friday, August 6, 2010

Merry Little Christmas Deer by Laura B.


After I finished the card I posted yesterday, I started really looking at my patterned paper. I noticed the little reindeer looked an awful lot like the deer on the Create-a-Critter Cricut cartridge. I knew I had to make "her" for another card.

Again, I started with a standard kraft paper card. I stamped my sentiment using ink and fine white embossing powder. I cut the larger strip at about 2.5" x 5.25". The accent piece with my little deer was at 1.25" x 5.25". I inked and chalked the edges and put them together using my Glue Glider Pro. I had a little left-over piece of border sitting on my desk from another project, so I attached it to the bottom of my two strips. I added assembled piece to my card using 3M foam tape squares.

For my deer, I cut all of the pieces at 3". The shadow was gray paper. The base is black paper. Layer 2 is kraft paper, and the top layer is brown paper. I assembled the layers together using the Zig 2-way Glue Pen. I added Kaisercraft rhinestones in green and red for her collar. I used the largest size to give her a cute red nose. For her eyelashes, I cut a small piece of black cardstock using my Cutter Bee Scissors. I cut thin and fine strips to make her eyelashes. I added the pieces together using Glue Dots. Then I had adhered finished googly eye to my project.

I am having so much fun with this cartridge!

Items available at Cutters Creek:

Cricut Machine
Cricut Create-a-Critter Cartridge
Cricut Spatula
Kaisercraft - Red Rhinestones
Kaisercraft - Green Rhinestones
3M Foam Tape
Glue Glider Pro
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Reindeer Games Seasons Greetings by Laura B.


My hubby is such a sweetie about my crafting. I have been in a super funk lately, and he surprised me with this Create-A-Critter Cricut Cartridge! I love it! The critters on here are so cute! I saw this little reindeer, and I knew he was destined to become a Christmas card.

I started out with a 5.5" x 4.25" card made with Kraft cardstock. I stamped my sentiment with ink and then embossed it using fine white embossing powder. I found some patterned paper that was so cute in my stash of papers. I cut them at 2.5" x 5.5", 2" x 5.5", and 1.25" x 5.5". I inked and chalked the edges of the papers and adhered the layers together using my Glue Glider Pro. For the border, I used a scroll lace border punch. I added the the border to my patterned paper layers and then adhered the entire strip to the card using my 3M foam tape. I tied a scrap ribbon around the card, and then added a button using twine.

Now for the fun part. I set my Cricut blade depth to 3 and my pressure to max to cut my cardstock pieces. I used a scrap piece of kraft cardstock, brown cardstock, and black cardstock. I set my dial size to 3" for the reindeer. Make sure real dial size is off. I cut all of the layers, and glued them together using my Zig 2-Way glue pen. For the scarf, I used my powder blue glitter paper. For the glitter paper, I set my machine to blade depth of 4, cut speed to medium, pressure to max and multi-cut function in the on position. I have found the glitter papers cut so much better and the slower speed. (Sorry it is hard to see the bling of the paper in the photo). I added my reindeer to my card using a double layer of 3M foam tape. Lastly, I added a Kaisercraft bright red rhinestone for the nose.

I am so in love with this cartridge! The critters are all so cute. I am sure you will be seeing more of them in my future projects.

Items available at Cutters Creek:

Cricut Machine
Cricut Create-a-Critter Cartridge
Cricut Spatula
American Crafts Glitter Paper - Powder Blue
Kaisercraft - Red Rhinestones
3M Foam Tape
Glue Glider Pro
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Tis the Season Card by Sandi



Tis The Season

To make this card I used my new Gypsy, I just love how portable my creativity has become. For this card I welded the words, tree and frame into one piece. The frame is from George and Basic Shapes, the tree from Christmas and the letters from Gypsy Font cartridges.

I used a Cuddlebug Christmas embossing folder on the background cardstock and covered each raised snowflake with Diamond Stickles

These Items can be purchased at Cutters Creek:


Cricut Gypsy
Cricut Machine

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Snowman Christmas Card By Sandi




I started my Christmas Cards today and decided to start with the cute snowman on the Gypsy Wanderings cart along with the matching word banner. The background paper was given to me so I don’t know what collection it came from but I really like the colors. I used my Copic markers to match the hat and tie to the colors in the background paper. I used Flower Soft to cover the snowman’s body and make it fluffy. I covered the banner with Diamond Stickles for glimmer and shine. I used 3D glue dots to raise the Snowman and add dimension.

These Items can be purchased at Cutters Creek:

Cricut Gypsy
Cricut Machine
Flower Soft Polar White
Copic Markers
Diamond Stickles

Monday, August 2, 2010

Copic Mondays Colorless Blender & Blending Solution - By Laura Burleson


The colorless blender is probably the most mis-named item in the Copic Marker Toolbox. By saying blender, most people thing you can blend two colors together with it. In reality the Colorless Blender is actually just the plain alcohol that is used to dilute the marker colors. The blender "moves" the colors around. It doesn't actually blend them.

You can use this to your advantage in several ways. If you are coloring and image, and your color bleeds slightly outside the lines. Wait for the first color to dry, then push the color back using the colorless blender. Use small strokes, and be patient. You want to slowly move it by adding a little alcohol at a time. You don't want to saturate the area, because that will make the run worse.

The coolest thing you can do with the colorless blender is to make effects on your designs. Did you know you can use it to create a brick wall effect?

Color your "wall" using your favorite brick red. Then place the chisel end of your blender pen down flat on the colored surface to create bricks. Cool, huh? See how it pushes the color out to create the brick effect?



You can do a similar technique using the brush end of your marker to create flowers and hearts.


It does take some practice. Some of my flowers are better than others, but you get the idea. You can really see how the colorless blender pushes out the ink to create the image. You can see how the pushed ink pools to create an outline around your image.

So what else can you do? How about creating denim jeans on one of your stamped images? You will need a piece of denim a little larger than the jeans on the stamped image and a colorless blender refill or bottle of colorless blender fluid. Color the jeans first when using this technique. Color them normally with your favorite blues. I like to use B91, B93, B95 and B97. Dampen the denim. You want it damp, but you don't want it saturated. I like to stretch the denim on a stamp block to get perfect denim jeans, but you can just press the area with the damp denim. It will leave the denim imprint on your image. Another great detail for your artwork!


How about animals? Do you color them, but wish they looked more "furry"? Take a small scrap of terry cloth and get it damp with blending solution. Dab it on the stamped image to give it texture. See how my bear looks more like fun then just a colored image.


You can also use the terry cloth to create texture for grass or for mountains. I hope it is easy for you to see the light and dark areas that the blending solution creates to give a texture appearance.


Think of all the fun things you can try using blender ink! I would love to see your projects trying out any of these fun techniques!

Next time -- we will be checking out the Copic Airbrush System!
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