Just Because - Whimsical Wednesday Challenge #23

This week's challenge over at Whimsical Wednesday is to create a "Just Because" card or project to let someone know that you are thinking of them. You must include either a digital image and/or sentiment on your project. 

This week Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring the challenge!!!  Bugaboo's digital stamps are so so so adorable and fun!  I used the super cute Oz Scarecrow digital stamp for my tag.  Instead of printing the stamp and coloring it in (which I honestly have no experience with!), I chose to trace the stamp in Sure Cuts A Lot, then break apart the pieces and cut them out on my Cricut.  This was the first time I have tried this and while I was able to figure it out in SCAL, it took a while to get all of the layers to fit properly.  I think the time spent was worth it though!  My friend will really appreciate this little cutie and of course, the candy corn that comes with it!!! 

Here are some pictures!

 

I wanted to make him look worn so I added some stitches and distress ink.  He looks so cute all worn out!  :) 

I hope you enter the challenge over at the Whimsical Wednesday blog!  Our sponsor for this week is Bugaboo Stamps. They have generously donated seven digital stamps to one random winner who enters our challenge this week. To lean more about Bugaboo please head on over to their Catch The Bug Challenge Blog.

Mel

                                                                                                            

Whimiscal Wednesday Blog Hop is HERE!!! Fab Prizes!!!

Welcome to the Whimsical Wednesday blog hop!!! You should have arrived here from Amber's blog http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/. If you just happened to drop by to say hi please go to the Whimsical Wednesday blog to start at the beginning of the hop. For this hop, we all made banners/wall decor that will be sent to a nursing home. The link to read more about this great cause is posted on the Whimsical Wednesday Blog.

For my project I decided to make a 10x10 shadow box.  My inspiration was the motivational quote I used (word art/digital stamp by Raindrop Echo Designs).  This quote seemed appropriate for all ages including residents at a nursing home.  I enjoyed every minute of making this!!!  When you are making something for a wonderful cause as this, the inspiration just doesn't stop!  I like the end result and I am sure the recipient will too!  I might have to make one for my craft room too!  :)

Other Materials:  Ribbon by American Crafts and Celebrate It; Used Cricut and SCAL to cut flower SVG by Images by Heather M and frame SVG by SVGCuts; Tim Holtz inks and paper distresser,Vintage brad and Gradient Gem stickers by Creative Charms, Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts; Shadow box frame by Collector's Museum

These our the generous sponsors for our blog hop and what they are giving away for PRIZES!!!

• Patsy from the Prairie Bird Boutique http://www.etsy.com/shop/prairiebirdboutique- Your choice of one bundle of Shabby Crinkle Ribbon
• Babbette from The Kraft Outlet http://www.kraftoutlet.com/store/Default.asp- The Kraft Outlet has generously donated their “Inspiration Play Pack”;  This is a collection of The Kraft Outlet's top selling items valued at over $45. The play pack comes with 10 yards each of the red and brown baker’s twine, an assortment of 50 of the plain and grungy tags, an 8 sheet assortment of their cardstock and text weight papers, an 8 envelope assortment, one sheet of Kraft labels, a set of their vintage dictionary pages, 1 yard of black twill tape and a CD full of 100 graphics and backgrounds.
• In addition the Kraft Outlet is offering 10% off all purchases made during the ENTIRE  month of July. All you need to do is enter the code JULY10 at checkout.
• The grand prize for the blog hop is a Gypsy, donated by Stephanie. In order to qualify for the grand prize you must leave a comment on each of the designers blogs. At the end of the hop please return back to the Whimsical Wednesday Blog to leave a comment saying that you finished the hop and left a comment under all our post. The blog hop will run through Sunday and end at Midnight.

Thank you for joining us for the Whimsical Wednesday blog hop! Your next stop is the very talented Faith-Abigail at http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/.

Here is the full blog hop line-up in case you get lost along the way:
1. Whimsical Challenge Blog: http://whimsicalwednesdays.blogspot.com/
2. Stephanie: http://www.alwayscrafting.com/
3. Star: http://starspaperpassion.blogspot.com/
4. Jessica: http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
5. Shelly: http://cardsbyshelly.blogspot.com/
6. Chloe: http://chloeandherclipons.blogspot.com/
7. Amber: http://my3escrapbooking.blogspot.com/
8. Melanie: http://inlovewithabug.blogspot.com/
9. Faith-Abigail: http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/
10. Cindy: http://cindybcreations.blogspot.com/
11. Joni: http://justcounting.blogspot.com/
12. GiGi: http://thecricutbug.blogspot.com/
13. Amber: http://stayingcrafty.blogspot.com/
14. Carlene: http://misspinkcricut.blogspot.com/
15. Karen: http://kaleidoscopicsparkles.blogspot.com/
16. Glora: http://glorascrafts.blogspot.com/
17. Nanne: http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com/
18. Cathryn: http://inthepinkcathryn.blogspot.com/
19. Whimsical Wednesday: http://whimsicalwednesdays.blogspot.com/

Mel

Butterflies B-Day Card, Some News, & LD Super Cut File Bundle!

I made this birthday card for my niece.  I love the purple, green, ivory, and brown color combo and the butterflies were fun to make.  Also, I used the print and cut functions in SCAL to print the digital stamp on a SVG cut.  Earlier this week, I shared a tutorial on how to do this - click HERE to read the tutorial. 

Materials Used:
- Digital Stamp/Word Art by Elegant WordArt by Bethany
- Frame/Mat SVG by Sensationally Chic Boutique
- Butterfly Silhouette SVG by SVGCuts (no longer available)
- Sizzix Stampin' Up! Embossing Template
- Corner Punch
- Glimmer Mist, twine, staple, and pearl stickers to embellish

I am entering this project in the latest Paper Dolls Challenge - Stamps!  I love this new blog!  Great challenges, link-ups, and the best part - I get to use my SVGs!!!

I have some exciting news to share too!  My Flower Ball Trees/Topiaries were featured on Heather M's blog a couple weeks ago.  You can check it out HERE!  Heather is one of my favorite SVG designers and I am so honored that she shared my project on her blog!!!  Also, I can't share too much information yet, but I will be joining a Design Team soon!!!  I will share more about this soon! 

And lastly, I wanted to mention an AWESOME bundle of cutting files available at Lettering Delights!  This new product called "Cut Its Super Shape Bunde" is being introduced at a very low price of $49 (regular price is $150) and if you have a 25% coupon from your last purchase (in puchase confirmation email from Lettering Delights), you can get it for ONLY $36.75!!! 

The cutting file formats included in the bundle are ai, dxf, eps, gsd, jpg, pdf, and svg, and below are a few of the really cute cutting files in this bundle.  There are a total of 760 cutting files in a variety of themes.  I will be purchasing this bundle tonight!  I can't wait to have fun with these!

Hurry, this deal will only last for another week - click HERE to get it!                                          

Have a wonderful day!!!                                                                

Print and Cut Out a Digital Stamp Using Sure Cuts A Lot!!! Tutorial Included!

Did you know that you can print a digital stamp using Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) and then cut it out using a shape or SVG in SCAL?  See an example of a project where I did this below.  Pretty cool, huh?  No physical stamp required!!!  The SCAL tutorial I have listed below, will show you how to do this! 

If you are not familiar with what a digital stamp is, it is a stamp that you print from your computer versus using a rubber/clear stamp.  Digital stamps are usually a JPEG or PNG image.  Many sites offer digital stamps for a fee and/or for FREE!  Free Digital Stamps is one of my favorite sites!

Sure Cuts A Lot Tutorial:  Print and Cut Out a Digital Stamp Using SCAL*
1)  Upload the digital stamp into SCAL by clicking on Place Image. 




















2) Then select the file and click Open.  Note: The image will be huge as shown below.  If the image does NOT load into SCAL, you may need to change the file format.  Using the Paint application, open the image, than save it as a JPEG image.

3)  Resize the digital stamp/image to the desired size by adjusting the width and height (circled below).

4)  Add a shape or SVG to the mat.  To add a shape, select a shape from the Shape Library in SCAL.  To add a SVG, click on the +SVG icon on the toolbar (circled below).  Then locate the SVG on your computer and click Open.

5)  Resize the shape/SVG and place it around the digital stamp as desired.  This will be where the stamp will print and where the shape/SVG will cut.  Note: You may want to move the shape/SVG behind the digital stamp so you can center it easier.  To rearrange the layers, right click on shape/SVG and select Arrange-->Send to Back. 

6)  Delete the shape/SVG by clicking on it, then pressing your delete button on your computer's keyboard.  Only the digital stamp should be showing on the mat.  Note: Make sure you do NOT save

7)  Connect your USB cord so that it is connected to your computer (SCAL) and your printer.

 
8)  Place your paper so that it is snug against where the paper feeds into the printer.

                                                                                            
9)  In SCAL, go to File-->Print.  Note:  Make sure your printer's properties are set to print color if necessary.  Click Print.

10)  Click the undo button in SCAL so the shape/SVG returns to the mat.

11)  Delete the digital stamp from the mat so that only the shape/SVG is displayed on the mat.

                                                                             

12)  Remove the USB cord from your printer and attach it to your die-cutting machine.

13)  Place the sheet of paper at the furthest corner of the mat and make sure your printed digital stamp is face up and placed in the same corner and direction as shown on the mat in SCAL.

14)  Load the mat into your die-cutting machine.  I use a Cricut and make sure the mat hugs the left-side when loading.

15)  Click the Cut button in SCAL (circled below).

                                             
16)  The SVG should cut around the digital stamp as shown below.

   

*This tutorial was developed using SCAL2; however, it should be relevant for SCAL3 as well.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!             
Melanie                                                      

"Follow Your Dreams" Grad Card!

My niece recently graduated from high school!  Congrats Liz!!!  This is the card I made for her.  The background is made up of layered flowers which I cut using my Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot (SVG by Images by Heather M) and then sprayed with glimmer mist.  I plan to do another project using this layering technique and will show it off soon!  Also, I used SCAL to print the digital stamp I used (created by Elegant Word Art by Bethany).  I have started a tutorial on how to do this, and I will share it with you sometime this week!  

I also cut two different label SVGs.  The intricate label SVG (behind the sentiment) is by Shery K Designs and the other label/frame SVG is by Bird's Cards.

I am entering this card into the following challenges/link-ups:
Fun with Color Challenge at Whimsical Wednesday
Sentimental Sunday Challenge - Sparkly or Summer
Paper Dolls Link-up #3 - PD Color Theme

I hope you are having a wonderful week so far!  Please let me know what you think - I love your comments!              

Melanie                                                                                               

A Fab Card and Disney Blog Hop Winner!

My inspiration for this card is Getting Cricky's Sew Fabulous Challenge.  I took a different approach to the challenge and used a stitching template to create the pattern on the background of my card.

I made this card for my niece.  She has been through a lot of hard times in her life and is still trying to find her way in the world.  I hope this card brings her encouragement and brightens her day - the sentiment I chose is absolutely perfect I think.  "If you can imagine it, you can create it.  If you can dream it, you can become it" - William Arthur Ward.  Ahhhh, so inspiring...  The digital stamp used is from Sentimental Sundays.

 

To create the background of this card, I used 3 different glimmer mist colors and a circle stitching template by Bazzill Basics.  I placed the cardstock on a piece of chipboard, then adhered the template to chipboard using tape.  Then, I sprayed the colors on the template trying not to overlap the colors too much.  Then, I removed the template and lightly misted the paper to add more of a color splash look.  I love the imperfect look of all of the circles!

 

 

I framed the background with plum cardstock.  I also used a corner punch, a star flower by Creative Charms, and pearl accents to add more charm to the card.

Now for the winner of the Mickey and Friends bottle caps (from the Disney Blog Hop)....

Denise-Scrapmouse said...
Beautiful layout! Love how you used the big fireworks picture as kind of a background paper with the two little pictures up front. Looks awesome. Thanks for sharing. And have fun at Disneyland!

Congratulations Denise!!!  You were the winner via Random.org.  I will send you an email to get your address.  Thanks for the Disneyland wishes too!  I can't wait!

Thanks to everyone that participated in the Disney Blog hop and thank you for the lovely comments you left on my blog.  I am making my way to your blogs to see your creations too!  I love finding new blogs to follow!
                                                                                                              

Welcome to the Grad Bash Blog Hop! Plus Giveaway!!!

Welcome to the Grad Bash Blog Hop!!!  In this hop, we are sharing projects for graduation season!  Also, don't miss my giveaway at the end of this post!  You should have arrived here from Yolanda's blog www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com.  If you are just joining in on the fun and would like to hop along with us, please visit Nadia's blog http://nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/ to start at the beginning.

My project is a card I made for a friend who graduated from college recently.  This card has no Cricut cuts and took me only a few minutes to put together.  I used purple and white - her school's colors.  The word art is by Elegant Word Art by Bethany. 

I used ribbon, clear star buttons, a little embossing, and purple stickles to embellish this card.  It is hard to see the purple stickles from the pictures, but it is there! 

Now it is time to announce my GIVEAWAY!!!  I am giving away the Printing 101 Cricut Cartridge (brand new in box)!!!  I think this one is retired, so don't miss your chance to get it!  I love the puzzle pieces this cartridge has.

To Enter my Giveaway, please become a follower (if you are not already) and leave a comment on this post.  I will leave this giveaway open for a week.  I will announce the winner on Monday, May 9th.

Thanks for hopping along with us!  The next stop on the hop is Carrie at www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com.  I have listed the entire hop line-up below in case you get lost along the way and/or started here.  Enjoy the rest of the hop!!!

Blog Hop List (in order):
Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com
Sandra www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com
Kristy www.craftin-on-my-door.blogspot.com
Jazmin www.jazzyscards.blogspot.com
Alma hwww.almabrooksblog.blogspot.com
Yolonda www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com
Melanie www.inlovewithabug.blogspot.com  ***YOU ARE HERE***
Carrie www.paperglitterstamps.blogspot.com 
Adri www.macheriecreations.com
Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com
Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com
Darlene http://www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/
Anita http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
                                                                                  
Melanie                                               

Sunset Layout & Digital Stamps

What is better than watching a sunset?  How about watching a sunset in the Caribbean while there are dolphins jumping along your cruise ship.  It was such a terrific experience - I had to scrapbook it!

I used lots of different elements and techniques to make this layout.  I added color to the ivory cardstock using a sponge and glimmer mists.  The sun is a modified digital stamp by Tiffany Doodles.  If you are not familiar with digital stamps, they are digital images made to look like stamps, which you print out versus using a stamp and ink.  Did you know you can cut clean-lined digital stamps in Sure Cuts A Lot using the Trace function?  I will show you how to do this in a future post.  There are many free digital stamps available online.  In fact, there is a blog that provides links to these stamps.  Check out the Free Digital Stamps blog here.

I created the journaling in Microsoft Word and enlarged and colored the key descriptive words used (perfect, serene, sunset, and dream). 

To enhance the way we felt watching the dolphins jumping, I added a quote by Elegant Wordart by Bethany.  I printed the quote on transparency paper to make it easier to center and place on my layout.

Other materials used:

• Glimmers Mists in Tuscan Sun and Lemon Meringue
• Sunset title cut using Sure Cuts a Lot and my Cricut.  The font used is "akaDora" by The Scrapping Table.  I used the shadow feature to create all 3 layers of the title.
• Rhinestones, brad, and bunched/stapled ribbon to embellish.

I am entering this layout into the following challenges:

• Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky - must relate to pack your bags/travel
• Shine On Challenge at Do You Stack Up - must include some bling - I used lots of rhinestones and glimmer mist to color the background.  Also, I used a digi stamp from Tiffany Doodles which I found on the Free Digital Stamps Blog.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Friday!