Beautiful Butterfly Coaster Card

I began by sizing and cutting all mats for the front of the card.  I used a plain pink cardstock for the base, glittered DCWV Late Stack for 2nd layer, Coredinations cardstock for 3rd layer, and a round plain white coaster for the 4th layer.
I used Cuttlebug Folder Swiss Dots on the Coredinations paper.  I then sanded the paper and inked with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet and Dusty Concord. I used pop dots to lift the layer.  Then I embossed the coaster with Cuttlebug Swirls.  I also inked the embossing with the same two inks.  I distressed the edges with a blade and inked with Vintage Photo. I used Low Melt Hot glue to adhere the coaster to the 3rd layer.
For the stamped image, I used Vintage Photo from Tim Holtz and clear embossing powder and heated until raised.  I then used SoftColour Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits to do all the coloring.  Once dry, I xyron the image and applied to the embossed inked coaster. 
This is my first try at the "Gamasol" method.  I really enjoyed it and I think it turned out pretty good.  I will be trying to perfect this method over the weekend.  So stay tuned for more coloring with Gamasol. I am sure I will doing more of this technique in future! 

Weddings With The Cricut- Custom Flowers and Rhinestones

 

I used Forever Young for this bag. It was cut "fit to page" on a 12x12 piece of K&I Sheer Delights Paper.  This paper is actually a very thin plastic that is fantastic for purses and bags.

What do coffee filters, plastic rhinestones, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink, and Glimmer Mist have to with a weddings?  No it's not a bridal party drinking Starbucks wearing ice skating costumes at CHA.  It the ability to make beautiful, unique, custom flowers and rhinestones for cards, favors, and table decorations.

Custom Rhinestones

This is a messy project . . . You will want to use a non-stick craft mat or wax paper

I bought this economical bag from Michael's.  It retails for $14.99.  I used a 40% off coupon with made it about $10.00 after tax.

On this project I decided to continue with the color theme of my Weddings With The Cricut series: light blue, soft green, gentle yellow tones. From my Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink, I chose to use Sailboat Blue, Citrus, and Sunshine Yellow.

With my inking tool and a felt pad, I dropped a few drops of each desired color of alcohol ink on the pad.  With a firm pressure I pressed the pad straight to the rhinestones. Until I achieved my desired color. The beauty of alcohol ink is that it dries quickly and layers of color can be added until desired color is achieved. 

 

These rhinestones could be used as decorations on tables, added to cards and flowers, or as I did to party favor purses.  Many online retailers as well as several Local Scrapbook Stores sell Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks individually.  I love this idea for small projects like this.  In Kansas City, I shop at the Scrapbook Page.  They sell the entire collection individually. 

 Coffee Filter Flowers

As we all know, being able to maintain a budget for a wedding is important.  These flowers are made with the most economical of materials: cone shaped Coffee Filters (also known as #4).  As far as brand goes, I chose to use the ones from Costco.  Several hundred cost $4.00.  I played with several different brands.  The ones from Costco cut the best and have the best texture.  I would avoid using generic ones from Target or Walmart.  The settings for this material are as follows:

Speed: 2

Depth: 6

Pressure: 2

Multicut: 3

I used my Gypsy to cut these flowers.  The Gypsy controls the speed of the machine, and the Gypsy has a tendency to cut quicker than by traditional cartridge method.  As result if you are cutting without a Gypsy, you may need to adjust the settings slightly.  The coffee filters are thin, even the most high quality ones.  You will want to keep keep speed down and blade depth deep.  Also avoid using too much pressure on the coffee filters.  For that reason I chose to use multicut. I began by tearing the filters along the seam and flattening.  I used a 12x24 mat but this can be done on any of the mats.

For this tutorial I used a variety of cartridges.  All these flowers were cut at 1 1/2 inches.

 

Once the flowers were cut, I lightly sprayed them with a combination of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.  I used, in this order, Yellow Daisy, Turquoise, and Key Lime Pie.  I allowed the flowers to dry. If you are under time restraints, a heat gun can be used to speed up the drying process. 

2 Tips:

Glimmer Mist, then emboss! 

The flowers must be dry before attempting to emboss!

Can you tell I had to figure this out the hard way?!? 

Once the flowers were dried I used my Cuttlebug folders to dry emboss the cut.

 

Then I stacked the flowers on top of each other gluing down the center of each flower.  This can be done with any quick dry adhesive.  I like cool melt hot glue.  Once the layers are assembled, I glued one of my custom rhinestones in the center.  If you would like to accentuate the embossing, Tim Holtz Distress ink can be lightly sponged on the flower.  The one on left is inked and the right is non-inked with Tea Dye.

These flowers are so customizable.  Glimmer Mist comes in every color that you can imagine.  Here is another color combo I found that I love.  This is Sunflower, Pashmina, and Lavender Fields.

 

The Distress Ink I used on this flower combination is one of the new colors called Victorian Velvet.  There are many, many flowers available on the Crciut cartridges.

 

Note: I was going to upload a Gypsy file, but really there is not much to the file.  If you have any questions on how to place this on your Gypsy please email me at makeupgirl217@ymail.com

Alexander's First Card

 

 

For Christmas I gave my oldest son Alexander a Baby Bug.  He has been dying to use it, so tonight we set aside the time to play and learn.  I am always super impressed with how fast he picks up on things that I think are challenging.  He designed his card for his dad using Dinosaur Tracks and Keystone.  We began by Glimmer Misting with Graphite on a forest green cardstock.  The images from Dinosaur Tracks are cut at 4 inches and the letter are cut at 2 inches.  We inked the layers of the rock with Ranger's Archival Mustard and Russet.  Once we had enough dimension we, used Jet Black.  We also inked the letters with Jet Black Archival ink.  We had so much fun together and he followed all the directions so well.  I think he has a natural eye for design! He also took his own pictures with the Big Nikon! Way to go Alexander!

Sunshine Oh Sunshine!

I am beside myself with happiness!  I have been awarded this beautiful button by not one but two of my message board friends.  Pam "TheBugBytes" and Cindy McVey both passed this spot of joy along.  In my little virtual world Cricut world, the two ladies are amazing. I learned how to weld on my Gypsy from Pam.  Her videos are amazing! Cindy has the gift of design.  I am always impressed with her ability to take something so simple and make it elegant!  Both are so generous with their time and talent!  Both truly add joy to my life.  It has been a really hard 3 weeks and receiving this award from two people that I admire so much, means everything to me.  My heart is so happy and filled with joy! Thank you both for making my day! Loves and Hugs to both of you!
So now I must pass this little button along to 6 other people.  Please visit take a moment and visit their sites!
1.  Kathy "Alaskacricut"- She does not have a blog, but she and I have become so close.  Her friendship is amazing!
2.  Samantha "Scrapmaster" Her challenge blog Just Buggin' was the reason I started 217Creations.  Talent - Oh yeah!
3.  Emily Straw from Weddings With The Cricut She gave me the wonderful opportunity to be a designer for WWTC.
4.  CreativeCritterTammy from CricutCritters- She featured me last week and brought me many new followers! Thanks!!!
5.  Bryan "Scrapguy"- He has a fun blog and always has cool new things to show.
6.  Myamagoo- She is such a generous person! I have always been able to ask her questions and she has taken the time to respond.  Not too mention she is also such a talented artist.  Her and Pam were so gracious to welcome me as a designer at Tuesday Treats.

Vintage Crown Card

How do you take this plain piece of Bazzil Cardstock from this . . .

To this . . . .

 

First I took my Bazzil paper and stamped it randomly with the new Tim Holtz Stamper's Anonymous Shabby French using Versamark. I used the crown and the script from the collection on the front.   I also  used a vintage inspired stamp for the faded face stamp.  Then I sprinkled Distress Antique Linen embossing powder and heated the powder.  Once it was cooled, I rubbed the embossing powder to release the crystals and "break up" the image.  Then using Distress Black Soot,  I stamped the script and the crown again randomly.  I also scrapped the edges of the card and inked with Distress Wild Honey. I sprayed the card with Creme De Chocolat Glimmer Mist.  Taking the ink pad directly to the ribbon. I smeared Wild Honey  and then sponged with Black Soot.  I threaded the ribbon with a metal charm I bought off ebay and glued the ribbon down.

To make the crown, I cut the image and the corresponding shadow fro Gypsy wanderings out of chipboard.  I painted the blackout image with a creamy yellow and the crown with an antique gold acrylic paint.  Once the paint had dried, I took Distress Antique Linen embossing powder to the blackout image and Enchanted Gold to the crown image and heat embossed both.  Once again when cooled, I rubbed the blackout image to remove the crystals and then inked Wild Honey and Black Soot.  I added the rhinestones and Hot glued both images together and attached to the card front.

To make the inside, I took some pages from a "Goodwill Find" copy of Hamlet and cut them up in various shapes using a rotary cutter with a decorative blade. I sprayed the pieces with Krylon's "Make It Acid Free".  Then I took rubber cement to the entire inside of the card. Then I applied rubber cement to all the backsides of my paper pieces.  Once the pieces were dried and the card was dried, I placed the pieces down firmly and rubbed them flat.  Then I inked with Wild Honey.

 For the plate I cut a square from George and distressed the edges of Gemstone Coredinations paper.  I dry embossed the plate with a Scrolly Cuttlebug folder from Provo Craft.  I sanded the paper to rough it up and inked again with Wild Honey.  I stamped the saying from the same Tim Holtz Shabby French collection with Jet Black Archival ink.  I used a few pop dots to raise it off the background.

I had so much fun experimenting with some new techniques.  Over the next week or so, I will doing several Tim Holtz projects from all my goodies that I found this weekend.  So stayed tuned and happy crafting!

Thanks Tammy!

Thanks Tammy for sending me so many wonderful new followers!  I want to welcome each of you that have come to my blog from Creative Critters Cricut Club.  All of my files and tutorials are free for download.  If you have any questions, just email me at makeupgirl217@ymail.com. Welcome!

Weddings With The Cricut-Congratulations!

I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful design team at Weddings With The Cricut!  Over the next weeks months, you will see an entire wedding collection that I have created.  In my collection I will be using the SEI paper pad called Bissette.  My color story is Gentle Green, Delicate Yellow, and Aerial Blue.  This week for my submission, I decided to showcase the ever popular Trifold Shutter Card for the category "Congratulations".  I love this style of card because it becomes a piece of decor that can be showcased.
For my card I used my Gypsy file to do the cutting and scoring of the card.  Even if you do not have a Gypsy, this file will convert to Design Studio.  The file I have created is based on 11" across.  This sizing allows my cut to be done on any of the 3 machines.  In order to make this even easier, I have also included a file for the mats on each of the windows.  Each mat is sized with a 1/8" margin to give that perfect edge.  The file is made entirely from Plantin Schoolbook.
I chose to use a plain green cardstock for the base and two different prints for the windows.  After I cut the base of the card, I sprayed my cardstock with Forest Green Glimmer Mist and Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist.  Once I let that dry, I followed the score marks to create an in and out pattern on top and bottom.  On the middle row, I scored following an out and in pattern.
I cut my embellishments to fit each window from Storybook.  I also welded the wording Congratulations from Songbird.  The flowers are from Forever Young.  Once I inked the edges of all my cuts, I applied them to their respective windows.  Then I added Platinum Stickles to my cuts.  Finally Once everything was in place, I misted the entire project with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist. ***TIP*** If you accidentally over wet your project with the Glimmer Mist and it begins to fold, take your heat embossing gun and apply gentle heat to flatten back out.  The very last step is to add few odds and ends.  This is a matter of personal style; for me it was half pearls from Martha Stewart.
I hope you enjoy this design!
If you would like to download the file, follow THIS LINK to the post.  At the bottom, is the file download.

A Glimmer Mist Valentine

I was inspired to create this card from the Cuttlebug Challenge for Glimmer Mist for this week. This is my first attempt at masking using Glimmer Mist.  First I took my Lace Paper File and used a portion as  a stencil. I cut a peice of white cardstock to 3x4. I embossed my white cardstock with a  Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug folder.  Then I taped the stencil down with painters tape to my white cardstock.  Then I began with a light pink called Creme de Rouge.  I let that layer dry.  Then I misted with Starfish.  I let that dry.  Then I misted with Cranberry Zing.  I let that dry.  Then I finally misted with Tuscan Sun. After the paper had dried I distressed the edges.  Then I took a paper towel dabbed in Tim Holtz Tattered Rose and smudged the embossing to bring it out.  On the edges I dabbed Aged Mahogany.  I then took my stamps and stamped hearts with Rocket Red and the swirls with Cloud White.  I applied my ribbon to the inner liner and used a Martha Stewart edge punch to finish the edges. Of course I had to add some bling with the red rhinestones.
I also entered this in at Just Buggin' Challenges.  They always seem to have a good time there too!

Storybook Lace Paper

 

  I made this lace paper from Storybook.  The welding is extreme, but I absolutely how it turned out.  I am not usually a 12x12 Layout scrapbooker, so I have to find a creative home for such a beautiful cut.  A Cricut.com message board member made the suggestion of framing it and using it as wall art.  It would look awesome in Vinyl.  I think there is a ton of options for this file. 

I have added the file for download.  I will say before you download and attempt to cut, this file will make your Gypsy work.  It took mine about 20 minutes to render (prep for cutting) and another 20 for cutting.  Upon first preview, I thought my Gypsy had froze, but it hadn't I was just being inpatient.  The settings are Speed 2, Pressure 4, and Blade Depth 6. The paper is SEI Windsor.   This paper is pretty thick cardstock.  You may have to adjust accordingly for your paper type.

 

 Click to download this file

Storybook Lace Paper 

REMEMBER:

I will say before you download and attempt to cut, this file will make your Gypsy work.  It took mine about 20 minutes to render (prep for cutting) and another 20 for cutting. Upon first preview, I thought my Gypsy had froze, but it hadn't I was just being inpatient. 

I love comments and followers! Thanks!

Oh Tinkerbell! Just Sitting Pretty

 

Oh Tink! I had a lot of fun with this box.  It is for my sister for her birthday.  Let's just say she loves Tinkerbell.  I used the cake box from Tie the Knot cut at approximately 11 inches.  I welded the leaves from Tinkerbell and Friends to the lid.  Once I welded and sized the leaves, I made duplicate copies on a second page to cut out in green.  I also cut out the flowers from Tinkerbell and Friends in two different sizes.  Tinkerbell is cut with real size off at approx 5 inches.  The mushroom was cut at approx 2 3/4 inches.  After all my pieces were cut,  I took Tim Holtz Distress ink and brush the green leaves with a forest green (Pine Needles).  The contrast makes for a very eyepopping look. I used low melt hot glue the adhere the green leaves over the welded leaves.  I then I stacked the flowers and used orange flower brads to attach the large to the small.  Then I took little blue gems and applied a small amount of hot glue to the back and placed in the middle of the brad.  The mixture of textures really brings the flowers out.  I used gold tinsel ribbon to edge the box on the top and the bottom.

I assembled Tinkerbell and used Stickles to highlight her hair and clothes.  To avoid any trouble with the facial details, I used my white Signo pen for the whites of the eyes and blue Stickles for the iris.  The lips are red Stickles.  I topped her shoes with white pom poms. Then I colored in the mushroom with Bic Mark it Pens and added Glossy Accents.

To make Tinkerbell stand up, I first glued her to the top of the mushroom. Then I cut a wedge from my green cardstock and applied a thin layer of hot glue to the edges and propped her up.

   I will be using this box design without Tinkerbell for another gift for a friend who loves gardening.  It would be so cute with some seed packets stuffed inside. I hope you enjoy it.  

Click below to download.  Thank you for comments and of course following!

Tinkerbell Cake Box 

Trifold Card- Mariposa Thinking of You

After many requests for this file from the Cricut Message Board, I decided to finally finish the design. It has been sitting on Gypsy for about 2 months now, waiting in line patiently to be finished.
I designed this card to have two separate files; both are made from Plantin.  The first one is the main file and it will cut the card, the slits in the middle and the score marks for folding.  The second file is the mats for each window.
I know the saying goes, "You cannot make everyone happy."  This time I think I did.  The card is designed on 11 inches not 12 inches. The Baby Bug can cut this file as well as Create and Expression.  It will fit on 6x12; 12x12; 12x24- The file can also be imported into DS.
When cutting this file, you will cut Page 1 of the TriFold Wih Score Marks file.  Once cutting is complete, DO NOT UNLOAD MAT! Instead, CHOOSE RETURN TO DESIGN.  Change to page 2. This will cut the score marks for folding.  Choose cut and finish the main portion of the card.  In order to make the precise framing for each window, you will need to load your mat with new paper and cut the second file TriFold Card Mats.
I hope you enjoy this file.  It took me many hours to complete.  I would love it if you would leave comments and of course I adore followers!

Remember to download both files to complete this card!

TriFold Card With Score Marks 

TriFold Card Mats