Our first Cricut cake and some more shopping bags to share

The cricut cake was recently on sale for $59.95 and free ship - too good a deal to pass up for this cake loving family.  The boys and I made out first one for Christmas.  We made marshmallow fondant (we found the recipe on the internet, it was pretty easy to make).  We cut the shapes from Christmas Cheer.  The boys went a little crazy on the sprinkles.  Yeah, we need a bit of practice, but the cake was still yummy. 

My big holiday projects were personalized 100% cotton shopping bags.  I bought a bunch of blank ones from a friend (she works at a print screening place).  They are nice quality bags  and a good size for groceries or whatever.  I used contact paper to make stencils then used acrylic paint (2 parts acrylic paint, one part fabric treatment which is sold in the acrylic paint section).  I was not super happy with the way the acrylic paint, I definitely like the iron on vinyl better, but the cost difference is BIG.  If I would have done vinyl, the bags would have just been too pricey.  

For a friend using lacy labels and wall decor

For Grandma using lacy labels and some purchased flowers attached with fabric glue

More traditional grocery bags:

 I still have some left so I'm going to try doing them with cut fabric and see if that works better - I'll let you know.

Made by Andy for his grandma

Altered Altoid tin gift card holder

Did you know that Altoids tins are the same size as gift cards?  They make great little holders for them and are fun to alter.  I made this one for my MIL for Christmas (and so I could enter the Cooking with the Cricut holiday floral challenge).   is at 2 inch from Joys of the season, the label is from Lacy labels (1.75 inch outside, 1.5 inch inside), paper is echo park and stamps are Stampin Up.

The tins have writing on the sides, but you can easily cover with a small strip of coordinating paper,  ribbon, or sand it off.

***One little note***  They really are the perfect size for the gift cards, but no room to get your fingers in to grab the card.  Be sure to tie a ribbon around your gift card so the recipient can have some way to pull it out - looks prettier that way anyway!

Hand Sanitizer 4 pack gift and tutorial

I wanted to dress up some hand sanitizers for the teacher with a cute little pack.  I sat down at my crafting table come up with some cleaver cutting file, but then realized that the best size is 12 inch and the quickest and easiest method doesn't require a cricut, just a paper cutter and scoring tool, so no free file today but I do have a tutorial.   You can make 2 from one 12 x 12 and the hand sanitizers are 5 for $5 at Bath and Body Works.  For mine I used Echo Park paper, label from Lacy labels (at 1 inch) and poinsettia from Woodland at 1.25 inch, stamp in PaperTreyInk.

Here's how you make them....
From cardstock or double sided designed paper, cut one 12 x 2 3/4 inch strip and two 1 x 6 3/4 inch strips

Score larger piece at 1 1/4, 2 1/4 and 6 inch from each end
fold to make and a frame

score smaller pieces at 1 and 2 inch from each end
fold to make belly band, secure along front and back tabs with adhesive

Holds 4 sanitizers

Now adhere two sides together.  Use a punch of choice (I used the small SU oval, but three small circles in a row would work great too, or even a snowflake) to create a handle at the top and decorate.  How simple is that!

MORE Holiday cards done

I think I got 10 cards done today, 5 Peace on Earth, 5 snowmen, and 2 of the Santa cards.  I hoped to do a couple more but I HAD to work on the bags I'm making for Christmas, and run the vacuum, and laundry, and the kids will be home from school soon, and then there is basketball practice to take them to, then dinner, well, you get it.  No more cards getting done today.

So, the first one is a Su set called Peaceful Season, I used the label from Lacy Labels at 3 inch for inside and outside, paper is echo park and Su.  I love the dove that comes with the set so I used it in aqua mist (papertry ink) on the inside and the envelope and used the same ink to "water" the globe. 

The second one is done with Jolly holidays at 2.75 inch, lacy label is at 3.75 and embossed with a snowflake cuttlebug folder.  Santa is fluffed everywhere white with fun flock, stamps are SU.  I'd like to make more of these but Santa is a bit of a pain to put together, maybe tomorrow.

The last one is a just a stamp I have had forever and never used, it has doodling around the outside, so I did some doodling with a sharpie around the card to match, which I thought turned out quite good for a quickie card.

I have 4 bags done today, 13 to go, hum.  I'll post some of those tomorrow.

Todays Christmas Cards



I made several cards today, and I think I can even have them in the mail by the time the carrier gets to my box.  The first one is no cricut, just some stamps (Stampin Up) inked with platnium and red inks and 3d paint.  That one was inspired by Susans card Here .  The next ones were done with a snowy cuttlebug folder and the deer from Christmas Noel (cut at 3 inch).  The deer are completely covered in dazling diamonds and up on pop dots, so they stand out a lot more in person that on the screen.  I liked the green one so much that I made 4 of them.  All total I have 7 cards done and going out today, not bad!



deer at 3 inch, su paper, ribbon and stamp in old olive

Christmas tags

I have to admit that I have never understood making tags, since they are so cheep to buy.  BUT this morning I was reading a challenge and decided to make some.  THEY ARE FUN!  They are quick, easy, instantly gratifying, you can use scraps, and its a reason to try all the cuts on the carts that you've wanted to do but didn't have a use for.  The Santa tags will go on the boys main gift.  They were done with Jolly holidays (tag at 4 inch, Santa at about 2.5), the candy cane and stockings are from Christmas cheer, and the ornament and branch are done using the tag feature on Joys of the Season (4 inch) and the glitter window technique.   If you haven't yet, try making tags.

Christmas pencil holder stocking stuffers

Each little box holds 3 pencils,  and 3 boxes can be cut from one 12 x 12 paper.  The eraser is just on the tag with a single sticky dot.   File includes tag and is the freebie until my next post.

PSI_Pencilbox svg

Seasons Greetings Poinsettia card and dolphin shopping bag

Oh my, is it the 7th already?  I need to get cracking on some cards.  Normally we do the photos for our bulk cards but this year we are doing regular cards and I just can't bare to go buy them when I have so many toys.  I didn't know we weren't doing photos until Monday, so now I need to make a lot in a short time, I'll have to keep 'em fairly simple.  I made 5 of the poinsettia ones this morning already.  5 is about my limit before I get bored with a design.  I used Christmas noel for the flower flourish (cut at 2.75 inch) and an SU stamp. I inked the flowers with a light brown to accent the lines and edges and put the second layer on pop dots.

I also got one more bag done.  This one is for my SIL, I used life's a beach for the dolphin and Wall decor and more for the waves and monogram.  Thanks for looking!

More holiday vinyl on the walls and a sewing project



Snowflakes from Christmas Noel at 3 and 4 inch

I bought a bunch of sparkle vinyl on clearance last year, soooo pretty, and thought I'd put some on the walls.  I made the J and Y letters 11 inches and used a berry wreath for the O.  Then used the leftovers for some snowflakes.  I would normally hate red snowflakes, but for some reason this year I'm seeing them all over and rather liking them.   I had that mantle made flat just so I could do vinyl on it.  I also had a plug put in above the mantle just for that very old tree.  It was my great-great aunts and I have to keep it far away from the kids and the dog (she has a dangerous wagging tail).

My other project share is a sewing craft, which I was very happy with since I don't know how to sew or follow a pattern.  We had planned to buy stools to go at the new island, but since that won't be in the budget for a bit, we are using the extra ones from the dining table.  I don't want them to get messed up so I thought I would make covers.  I had to wing a simple pattern.  Each one only cost me about $3.50 to make, cheep enough to make one for each holiday until we can buy stools, and I can always use them in the dining room later.  Thanks for looking!

My first Christmas present done, a card, and some vinyl

This year for Christmas I bought a bunch of blank cotton grocery bags to paint.  The first one done is for my DH's grandfather.   They live on a boat 6 months of the year, and AZ the other 6 months, so nautical was perfect for him.   I used the compass and letters from Wall Decor and More.  I just got this cart and I really like it.  It runs about $15 on ebay with shipping, great deal for all you get.  One down, MANY to go.

The second item for today is a card made with Lacy Labels, cut at 4 inch...3.75 would have been better.  The stamp is from Stampin Up.

The third thing...and my favorite..is the first vinyl in my new house.  Hubby and I each had a couple of must have items when we built and one of mine was these little opening in the room doorways.  I had seen them in a magazine and knew they would be great for decorating.  I put up my three wise men, which are just plastic, but very old and I really like them.  Then below them I wrote Wise men still seek Him in Precious font.  I love how it came out.

Let the December projects begin....

HAPPY DECEMBER!  I have several things to share with you this week.  Today I want to show you a quick countdown, a card, and a fun little project for kids.

First, a countdown for hubby's desk...I used two chipboard coasters covered with modge podge and echo park paper.  I cut some holes with a crop-a-dile and added snap rings.  I printed out the xx days til Christmas (cut to 2 by 3.5 inches) and used my silhouette to cut the word Christmas out of cardstock.  The holly is from Joys of the season and the bingo card was from the echo park kit (seasons greetings).  I loved making this and will definitely make more to give away next year.

Second is a little card for a friend, the penguin is from Jolly Holidays and the label is from lacy labels

Third is a quick project for kids.  I saw this last year on the Internet and stashed away the idea for this year.  Its just two candy canes wrapped with a piece of brown paper, add eyes and a punched circle nose.  Very simple, but my boys love it and they will look cute hanging on the tree.    Up tomorrow, some holiday decorating, and my first Christmas gift done.  Thanks for looking!