Work the Stash Wednesday with BG & SRM

I have been a Basic Grey and SRM Stickers fan for awhile, and there are lots of scraps in the stash as a result. So, this Wednesday I set about using some of those scraps for cards. I wanted to use some of the large letters from Vagabond, by Basic Grey and they are too large to use make an entire word on an A2 card. So, I used the first letter of the word instead.
Here are the results. The large letters and papers are all Basic Grey and the baby cards are made with SRM stickers. Did you know that Basic Grey offers their older lines in digital formats? So, if you have an old favorite, or are new to BG and love their older lines, just visit their online store!

1st Communion Invitations with Cricut Imagine

Today, I am sharing my 1st Communion invitations made with the Cricut Imagine and sharing with Erica's Craft Room how I got into Cricut. Did you know that if you stop by Erica's and check out this post you can find out how to win a Sophie cartridge?
I have a fashion design background and have sewn since I was in my teens. While working in apparel manufacturing, I worked with Computer Aided Design software for clothing, and saw the cutters in use on large football length tables.
I started scrap booking shortly before the birth of my first son, because I have always love creating and loved the idea of scrabooking memories of my loved ones. I had a friend with a scrapbooking business and a Cricut and was sooo excited to see that the technology used in my job, was now available to use in my home for my hobby! I saw immediately the professional quality available and LOVED that the Cricut Design Studio software would allow me to continue using Computer Aided Design for my own tweeking. I got the Original Cricut and within 6 months the Expression. I now have an Imagine, which I used for the invitations above.
I used the Creative Memories Reminisce Accents Cartridge for the spokes on the cross, the center medallion is made with Paper Lace, and the rectangle with good old George, Basic Shapes. I created the image with CCR and printed them out. I then ran them through my printer and used Microsoft Word for the Text. I hand cut the slits for the ribbon using my Creative Memories ovals and the cutting cogs. The slits around the center medallion were cut with a paper trimmer.

Using Fabulous Fashion Trends on a Page

One of my all time favorite fashion trends is Men's Wear details for Women's clothing! So, when I saw The Robin's Nest Classified Line I had to have it! And how fabulous is the black, yellow, grey and white combo!? I am entering this in The Play Date Cafe's Challenge #122. Here is the color story inspiration photo. So, how do you use this trend on a page? Try small patterns, like the Mens suit stamp paper. Use small feminine details, like the Purple Cows Spring punch and use a classic color combo like the one in this page.
This month The Robin's Nest Design Team is doing a swap with Purple Cows. I was sent several punches and a stamping tool. Here is my first project with The Purple Cows Craft Geek Punch It-Spring tool. I love that you can use this tool any where on the page, and rotate it to make multiple designs. The possibilities are endless!
So, here are the details of this project. The background sheet is The Robin's Nest Distressed Honeycomb paper. On top of that is layered The Robin's Nest Mens Suit Stamp. Before I adhered the Men's Suit Stamp, I used The Purple Cows Spring Punch it to add the border detail on the left hand side. To use this along the length of the page, you need to roll the paper under the punch. Since, The Robin's Nest paper is such a heavy weight paper, I rolled the paper in the opposite direction when my punching was finished and it laid flat again. The Mens Suit Stamp was then sewn onto the Distressed Honeycomb paper with a zig zag stitch.
The title was created with the Cricut Imagine and Cricut Craft Room software using Graphically Speaking, and Elegant Edges. I used the print only mode for the Top 10, and the black border around the reads). I then used the cut only mode for the rest and cut the yellow label in The Robin's Nest Honeycomb Linen Fleur Paper.
The library cards are a free printable I got from a favorite Etsy Shop: Sweetly Scrapped Art. Be sure to check out their blog using the link in the supply list below.
The stamp is Inkadinkadoo and on top of the dots in the image, I added The Robin's Nest Black Dew Drops. They add the perfect bit of fashion glamour to balance the yellow in the page. The key to using yellow is small doses. I added a bit of black Stickles to the smaller dots on the stamp too.
The photo on the page is our local library. I so wanted to scrapbook this for my children, along with a list of our favorite children's books. What wonderful memories I have of my childhood library and reading. I so hope my children grow to remember our library fondly!
Supply List
The Robin's Nest Distressed Honeycomb Paper (Backgound)
The Robin's Nest Honeycomb Linen Fleur Paper (reads title & Behind punched border)
The Robin's Nest Men's Suit Stamp
The Robin's Nest Classified Die Cut Shapes (under Sycamore Library)
The Robin's Nest Classified Stickers (center of flower, library tag)
The Robin's Nest Solid Black Dew Drops
Purple Cows Punch It Spring Craft Geek Punch
White Paper Flowers
Yellow Acrylic Flowers
Inkadinkadoo Wellspring Stamp
Cricut Graphically Speaking Cartridge (Top 10 Reads)
Cricut Elegant Edges (Title Label in Honeycombe Fleur)
Library Cards free printable from Sweetly Scrapped Etsy Store
Silk Daisy
Sewing Machine & Thread
Distress ink

The Robin's Nest is Sponsoring Challenges with Prizes!

I am so excited to share that The Robin's Nest is now hosting a monthly challenge with prizes for their on line store! If you like The Robin's Nest items and challenges you can enter HERE.

The Page Map Challenge; at the Chattering Robin's Blog, is a monthly challenge starting on the second Thursday of month and will last for one month. The winner will be announced the Sunday after the new challenge is announced. All winners will be notified by email and the winner will be announced on the Chattering Robin’s Blog and The Robin’s Nest Facebook Page. Entering into the contest you are giving the Robin’s Nest the right to use your project to promote the challenge on their blog and other Social Media sites.



Create your own page using the Page Map(s) – the page map can be incorporated vertical or horizontal in the layout. Any products can be used but if you use Robin’s Nest Papers or embellishments you will get bonus entries.




HOW TO ENTER:



Add your layout to the inlinkz tool on the Chattering Robin's Blog HERE. If you have a blog grab our button and add it to your blog post. A blog is not a requirement for this Challenge, you can use FlickR or any other Social Media Site to enter.



The winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to The Robin’s Nest On-Line Store!

1st Communion Banner with the Cricut & Fabric

My youngest makes his 1st Communion this year and I am busy with working on craft projects for his special day. First on the list is the 1st Communion Banner. This will be hung on the side of the church pew. Our parish, gave us the cream banner and suggested we search the Internet for ideas. It had to have my son's Name and some 1st Communion images.
So, I got on the Internet and liked the idea of a church window on the banner. This church window is from Paper Lace. I used Heat and Bond and calico. I had to hide the smallest portions of the cut as the Cricut doesn't like cutting these smaller pieces. I used a fresh blade and placed the fabric face down on the mat. The heat and bond was face up on the mat. I taped the fabric at the corners of the mat, as the mat will NOT hold the fabric as well as it hold paper. The purple portions of the window are also fabric applied with the Heat and Bond.
I cut the chalice and the Pyx with the New Testament Cartridge. They are actually the same image, I just changed the cup to look more like the bowl that holds the host. This I cut in satin and it cut like a dream. I added a bit of dimension with my Rub-a-Dub marker on the cup
Next I chose to add some Art Glitter for the smaller portions of the window and my son's name. Ok, I confess, I cut this with the Cricut and I forgot to mirror the font! It was too small for it to cut well anyway, so I just cut it in paper and traced it onto the banner. I used the Art Glitter Dries Clear Fabric glue.

Homeketeers is Giving Away an Expression 2!

It's been a long time since I shared a giveaway, but today I'm sharing an Expression 2 and a Cricut Mini Giveaway that Homeketeers is holding in honor of National Craft Month. Now, I'm not sure when this giveaway ends, but you can find out how to enter HERE. The also have a great community and you can find great ideas Here.
They have also asked me to share a craft I have made as part of the giveaway, so I am sharing my son's 1st Communion Banner. And yes, I made with with my Cricut! You can cut fabric with your Cricut! The black glass window portion was cut with the Cricut. Stop back for my next post and I'll share all the details on how I made this project and cut fabric with my Cricut!

St. Patrick's Day Birthday Card

I'm working on my St. Patrick's Day Birthday card today and am entering it into the Case Study Challenge #80. Please excuse my poor excuse for a bow as I am bow challenged!
I used the Storybook Cartridge and filled it with the Audrey Paper, the sentiment is from Wildcard. I cut some green gingham paper, and some black corrugated cardboard paper for a mat and added the ribbon and my card is done. Thanks for stopping by!