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Saturday, May 14, 2011
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!

80 comments:

Aman said...

What a great layout! You always pick the perfect paper!

amanbains1 at gmail dot com

Sabina said...

Hello,
i come from Everyday Cricut a wunderful Lo you made!
Sabina
sabina.fei@gmail.com

Scrappin Melissa said...

Great job! I commented over at Everyday Cricut too! Love the fun colorful papers.

Scattychick said...

It's great Monique and I have so many pictures that would suit the LO

Donna Lee said...

Adorable! Love the arrows.

Kim. said...

This is a great layout, love the fun papers they work so well with the scene.
Kim xXx

Melissa said...

What a darling layout and I'm loving that Echo Park paper!!

Melodie said...

This layout is caaauuutte!! And if that big 'spokey' thing isn't supposed to be a merry go round then wth was it?? Anyway love the layout and I'm so wanting that super cool gypsy tote!!
Scrapthis at aol dot com

CRAZY4 CHRIST said...

Love it!! So cute!!
sierrababy08 at hotmail dot com

Lucy said...

This layout is vibrant with colors! Just love it. Lucy, iluvlu2003@yahoo.com

Fran said...

Super cool. I love the design and the colors. Echo Park papers are really great. Awesome!

Anonymous said...

WOW details are wonderful and
love you for giving us all the
data

fergie

Christi said...

Very cute.

keenerfamily at gmail dot com

chandale_berry said...

Cute layout as always! Love your work.

chandale_berry@yahoo.com

Jazmin said...

You did an amazing job on this layout... I haven't even begin to explore the carts on the E2, but you've motivated me!

Jazzy
MsPoet2be@gmail.com
www.JazzysCards.blogspot.com

Darlene said...

wow! awesome LO. Wish I had your 'eye'. TFS

Darlene
desaucier at bellsouth dot net

Anonymous said...

Another adorable lo..as always! TFS!

Carol aka cyimbugbitten
bugbitten at hotmail dot com

Mandy said...

Awesome layout! I love it....it's just so cute! Your designs are always the cutest.
~Amanda

aperkins410@gmail.com

Dakota Bear said...

Wonderful layout! I commented on Everyday Cricut as well.

DebC said...

Monique your kits are always so amazing! You pair up the papers and your cuts so well. I really love this one.
Deb C
dsc105@live.com

-mandy said...

Great job Monique! I sure love all your layouts! Thanks for sharing!
-Mandy
hull.mandy@yahoo.com

Karen said...

You are making me want that E2!

Karen L 1020 at gmail dot com

Kelly O said...

How cute... I have my E2 updated now need to get going... You have inspired me to take for a test drive today. Thanks Monique!!

Suzanne cricutcraftingrammyblogspot.com said...

What a cutie patootie layout. I may have to scraplift this. My 15 month old grandbaby has just learned to go on the slide and I have some great pics of that. I love my E2 too.

Charlotte Cornett said...

Adorable Layout!!! Love the paper also! Thanks, Charlotte

JenJackScrap said...

Darling work, AS ALWAYS! I am so giddy that you're getting the swing of your E2 and can't WAIT for you to teach me how to work on the kinks with mine. :-)

Amy Vandiver said...

Great layout!!! I have been waiting to see some of you ladies use just a note so I can get some ideas!! I really wanted it for the park toys!

Amy V

silly_girl_823 at hotmail DOT com

Travel Bug said...

Great...now I want the E2, and a stash of Echo Park paper!! Great layout! What was that wheel-like thing supposed to be?

blueskygirl said...

Wow Monique, I love the layout and the paper. I too love, love, love Echo Park! You have a great eye for design- don't think I would have been able to see the shape from essentials as playground equipment- but it fits perfectly!
Got my E2 last week. A bit of a learning curve, but I really like it- especially the cartridges!
Molly

IRW Dana said...

Love the layout, I've been playing with my E2 to and still trying to figure out the layering part. Thanks for sharing the inspiration.
papermemories4u @ yahoo .com

Anonymous said...

Joan Murphins here to ask did your husband have difficulty downloading for the E2? Our computer locked up and we had terrible problems. This layout made me feel better about the carts that were included as I wasn't thrilled with them.

Court said...

FAB layout!!! Way to go Monique!

Sharka said...

I'm a fan of both blogs; left a comment on EC and now I'm over here leaving one on yours... luv the layout and isn't echo park a great line of paper, one of my new favs, thank you Monique! :D

ocm said...

I love the paper in the photo slot…would you cover it with a photo or is this just for show?

: )

Jeneen said...

This is adorable! Great job!

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

AWESOME LAYOUT! Love the details in this and the appearance that the merry-go-round is actually moving. AWESOME.
TFS

Kelly Massman said...

Too cute!

Hawks Nest Hobbies said...

What a beautiful layout. Enjoy your new EC2. I misses out on the HSN special. TTFN, Debbie

cgreer said...

Absolutely love, love, love this layout! my sister just got me this paper pack and i just got the E2 so scraplifting..here i come!

Anonymous said...

This the perfect layout for my grandsons birthday at the park....Love it...JazzyJan

Kristie Maynard said...

Very cute layout! TFS.

Debbie said...

I have come over from Everyday Cricut I love all your LOs, the colors on this one just pop thanks
upnurse at aol dot com

Kelly Braund said...

Again, I just love this layout! (commented at EC already) It is so great, love the papers, love the design, it's great! I'm actually going to head out to get those papers now, I can think of tons of pictures to use it for!

Emily S said...

Very cute love the detail and the wheel!

Teresa said...

I love the Echo Park papers as well! I want this line! I love the layout and I wish I could get the new E2. Even more so since it sounds like my expression sounds like it is dying!

CathyinMN said...

Monique, this is such a fun and colorful layout! I love all the detail you give to your projects! TFS!

Nati Tristan said...

I saw this at everyday cricut! Wonderful layout!

My Serendipity said...

Great layout and very colorful..love it! and yes, isn't Emma the best? I just love her! :)
Have a great weekend!

Angela said...

This is of course soo cute! I remember those old merry-go-rounds at my childhood playgrounds. My brother loved torturing us on them anytime he could---they could spin soo fast!

Emily said...

This is so cute :) Very bright and cheery!!!

gshrader said...

Love this layout!
Thanks for sharing!
gayle_shrader at yahoo dot com

Faye J said...

Terrific lay-out that is simply fantastic. Your "detail" work is always beyond the norm!

Beverly said...

Really cute LO, Monique. Glad you're enjoying your new E2!

Kim said...

Absolutely adorable! I absolutely love the Echo Park paper that you used. I am glad that you are having fun with your new E2. I am still trying to learn to use mine. Have a wonderful weekend!

Charlene said...

Very "playful" layout! TFS!
SouthernMrs
at verizon dot net

Sukie said...

Great layout, love how you coordinate your patterns and colors!

scrappindhilly@gmail.com

Luria said...

Great LO Monique. TFS

Luria

Elsie said...

I love slide! I also like the merry-go-round as the background. So, cute!

coolnana72 said...

What a cute layout! You are so talented

Pam said...

I LOVE all the detail. It truly makes a design GREAT!!

mutma@comcast.net

Tracy Early said...

I love the faux stitching. I have used
My sew piercer and the prestitched paper, faux is the way to geaux :) TFS

cardchick's world said...

so so cute!!! luv that paper..such a cute LO.....

cardchick50(@)gmaildotcom

ReGina said...

I LOVE this layout! I am always a fan of BRIGHT colors when it comes to paper! Such a fun layout! THANKS for sharing!!!

SrapaholicRN said...

this is way cute. Love the papers. I have been thinking of getting the E2.

Spud

Cheri said...

Love the energy in your LO.
The colors are so active 2.
I best be getting some playtime with my E2!
Thanks for the inspiration, and yes I would like win 2!
Hugggs

Suz said...

Love the layout! And the merry go round that isn't sure does look like one LOL!! Sure do like the paper choices too. ~Suz

cema1cema said...

I love when you do scrapbook layouts! Super cute! Christina ccapps35@gmail.com

Nadia's World said...

Beautiful LO~~ Saw it over on Everyday Cricut!

TFS!

Nicole T.

Gail Taylor said...

I love how you find all of the pattern papers and how well they match. I am trying to get away from solid colors. Thanks for having a blog to show your work.
It is inspiring!

Rose said...

Love the Merry go round.Great paper,perfect LO for a summerday's at the parks.TSMFS

Rosebud222222222@aol.com

Unknown said...

Cute page Monique! How on earth do you get your dashed lines so perfectly straight around all of those edges? Any tips would be great!

Peg Toth said...

Very nice and cute.

Shelley said...

Another beautiful layout! I love the small details.

coggie4556@bellsouth.net

ThemeWeaver said...

Love the colors and the layout!! I like to do cards and centerpieces but lately these layouts are inspiring me to do birthday posters for the grandchildren that the parents can remove all the cuts and use the background layout for their scrapbooks!! Thank You for such wonderful ideas!!
Janet Cooney

Cheryl said...

Your play time layout is so cute, I love it! Thanks for sharing.

surfnfroggie

Julia said...

cuteness!!!

Just A Pac Rat said...

Cute layout, love the colors used! TFS

circlebenterprises.blogspot.com

Donna said...

Really cute, Monique! Love the playing around theme!

Blessings, Donna
grandma4five

Unknown said...

Every children feel entertaintainment in playground place for playground equipment.

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About Me

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Monique Griffith
Rocklin, CA, United States
The Monique Griffith Design Team consists of 4 Cricut Designers: Monique, Wendy Lawrence, Susan Rees and Becca Rees. We specialize in making Cricut Project Kits that you can make on your own with your Cricut, learning more about your bug in the process. You just need your Cricut Expression, the required cartridge(s), and a few basic tools. The directions come with a Cricut Cut Chart that shows you line by line exactly what you'll need to cut on your machine, with all of the settings for each cut. There are also well-organized written instructions and color photographs. We pride ourselves on our detailed designs, and on teaching others how to most effectively design with the Cricut. Currently, we have have downloadable directions on sale for only $5, and there are over 50 projects to choose from.

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