Can you believe it's Saturday already?  Where did this week go???  Well, it's my Saturday as Guest Designer on Everyday Cricut, so if you're coming from there, thanks for stopping by, and feel free to look around the blog here.  You can also leave a comment on today's post for a chance to win a custom-embroidered Gypsy tote bag.  If you haven't been to Everyday Cricut yet, be sure to pop on over there!  Also, I want to give a huge thank you to Emma for being our Guest Designer here yesterday.  Didn't she do an amazing job?  Thanks, Emma!!

Alrighty, who has gotten the new Cricut Expression 2 yet???  I just got mine 2 days ago, and finally took it for a spin today.  Well, I must confess that first I got my super smart hubby to do the update for me, and THEN I dove in.  I actually read through the entire user manual, while trying out each function.  Yes, I'm a nerd.  But I feel pretty comfortable with it now, and really love it.  So today I decided that I'd like to make a project using only the E2 and the carts that are pre-loaded into it.  Here it is.  See below for sizing details...


This single page 12x12 layout was made using mostly papers from Echo Park's "Playground" line (plus a couple of solids from Stampin' Up). I am a HUGE Echo Park fan - their papers are wonderful to design with!  I used the Cricut Essentials cartridge to cut the navy blue "merry-go-round" wheel at 9 1/2".  The orange circle behind it is 10", and the white circle behind that is 10 1/4".  The cut isn't really meant to be a merry-go-round, but I thought it kinda looked like one and went with the paper and theme.  I also cut the arrows from Cricut Essentials, all at 3", including the white shadows.


The "Play Time" title is cut at 3 1/4" from the Just a Note cartridge, and this is the cartridge I was most excited to start playing with.  I think it's just adorable - and it also has THE cutest tri-fold cards on it - can't wait to try those out!!  I like that the "Play Time" title has so many layers and a nice shadow - that really helped me tie in a lot of the colors from the layout.  And of course I added a few buttons for a little extra cuteness.


This bear and slide are also from Just a Note, and it's cut at 4 1/2".  Again, lots of great layers (I'm all about the details!!), and a nice shadow as well.  Since there's so much color going on in this layout, the white shadows really help separate them visually.  I added faux stitching in both white and black, and some little polka dots as well.


I don't use arrows too often (don't know why that is - they're so cool!!), but in this case, I really think they helped give the scene a sense of motion and fun.  Oh, and I used a double layer of pop dots to pop up the navy blue merry-go-round cut to give it extra depth.


The photo mat sizes are as follows: Merry-go-round pattern is 4 1/4" x 6 1/4". Red solid mat is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2". Light blue mat is 5" x 7". All layers are inked with dark blue chalk ink (as are the other Cricut cuts in this project). I tucked the photo mat into the navy merry-go-round wheel, again to just add more depth and to help tie everything together.  Thanks for coming over to play today, and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance at this week's blog candy!!!  Enjoy your weekend!

Summer Blast Layout:  Doodlecharms shapes within the squares are all cut at 2".  The flower behind the title is 4 1/2".  Colored squares are 3x3, and are textured with the Cuttlebug. I used the Divine Swirls and Swiss Dots embossing folders. White frames behind squares are 3 ¼ x 3 ¼. Assemble squares, then punch a hole through the top and bottom for those on page 1, and through the sides for those on page 2. Then weave ribbon through the holes. Layers of photo mat on Page 1 – sizes are as follows: Outer white mat is 6 ½ x 7 ¼, Bright Green mat is 6 ¼ x 7, Fruity mat is 5 ¾ x 6, Gold mat is 4 x 4, intended to hold picture that is 3 ½ x 3 ½. Page 2 mat sizes are as follows: Outer white mat is 6 ¾ x 11 ¼, Bright Green mat is 6 ½ x 11, Fruity mat is 6 x 10, Gold mat is 4 ¼ x 6 ¼, intended to hold picture that is 3 ¾ x 5 ¾. You may also opt to add a journal box to the portion of the Fruity mat on this Page 2. A tag journal box is always adorable. You'll also use (4) Green patterned border strips, which measure 1 ½ x 12, and (4) Pink border strips behind those, which meausre 2 x 12. Summer Blast title was created with the Design Studio Software, using the Cuttin' Up font.


Dragonfly card:  Dragonfly and tag are from Doodlecharms. The dragonfly was cut at 2", and the circle tag layers were cut at 4". White card base is 5x7. Pink Bling background is 4 ¾ x 6 ¾. Green Floral Glitter background is 4 ½ x 6 ½. After you cut all of the pieces for the dragonfly, glue the Pink Bling body on top of the Green Floral dragonfly, and then glue this Green Floral dragonfly onto the Peachy Bling shadow, but only use one strip of adhesive under the body – don't glue down those wings! Now adhere the yellow circle tag onto the white circle tag, lining up the tops with the holes in them. Attach dragonfly at an angle, and then lift his little green wings up to give him some dimension. Put green and pink ribbon together, fold it, and loop it through from back to front. The word “shine” was cut using the Cricut Design Studio Software, with the Cursive 101 cartridge. If you lose the dot for the “i”, you can always use a fun rhinestone for even more bling.

Thanks for stopping by today.  And be sure to check in tomorrow, as we will have another very talented Guest Designer sharing a project with you.

Ok-Sorry I am a little late on the post today.

But I decided to show you one of my favorite projects. This altered book was precute so I just had to hand cut the pages.  (Really was no big deal)

I used New Arrival for all the cut's. I inked all the edges with pink.  Enjoy




Hope you have a great day.

Wendy-Bling Queen

Here are the 2 winners.  Please email me at moniquegriffith@yahoo.com by May 17th to claim your prize.  Congrats!!

katieo said...

    Inspiring photos. Your team look so happy and enthusiastic. I am glad it wasn't too hot. Thanks for the opportunity to win.


 Nhi P. Tran said...

    I would totally love to join the cricut circle. Those flowers were very lovely. :]

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!  First off, I want to show you this week's new blog candy.  The winner this week will receive a custom-embroidered Gypsy tote bag!  These fabulous bags are embroidered by my friend Myrel France, who does such fantastic work.  Isn't that font too cute?  And check out that Cricut green!!  To enter, just leave a comment on today's post, and then come back each day during the week to leave a comment on each day's post. If you'd like to order your own Gypsy tote bag, you can just email Myrel directly at myrelf@aol.com.  Thanks, Myrel for sponsoring this week's giveaway!! 

This Gypsy bag is has a double handle, and is plenty spacious.

Check that out - I've got my Gypsy in there, along with my wallet and sunglasses case, and there's still room.

And for today's project, I want to share a card that Nana Susan made.  She used the Stamping cartridge to cut "Hello" at 1 inch in pink and green.  Btw, I think that the Stamping cartridge is one of the very BEST cartridges for card makers - it is incredibly useful with some great images and a perfect variety of sentiments.

The paper is from Stampin' Up, and the flowers were hand-cut from the paper and then punched with a Martha Stewart  Starburst punch.  Susan distressed the flowers by rolling the edges in water and bending up randomly.  The ribbon is also from Stampin' Up.

Soft colors with a distressed finish.  So beautiful and feminine.

The punched out middle and threaded buttons add a unique touch.

The inside of the card is simple, yet perfectly coordinating.

Check back later today as I will be announcing the two winners of the 3 month Cricut Circle membership!!

Team Monique had about 72 members, including 5 survivors!  We raised about $7625 and counting.

Monique and Team Captain Stephanie

My favorite pic of the day.  Emily predicts a huge victory.  Uncle Matt seems to agree.

Kicking off the Race at about 8am.

What it's all about.

Check out those cool team shirts!

This 100 year old Survivor was crossing the finish line at the same time as our team.  Amazing!

Crossing the finish line.  We did it!!!

Survivors' Ceremony.  This was my group.  We were the 0-1 year survivors. We had the shortest hair and the best dance moves.

A very happy day.  It's great to be alive!!!