Fantabulous Friday -- Leaves are Falling

Hi everyone! This has been the longest week so I am very happy it's Friday. And tomorrow is World Card Making day so I have planned to craft for several hours. I just hope my family allows for that :)

For today's feature, I decided to show you several cartridges that you can find leaves on to go with our challenge this week--Leaves are Falling.

Straight from the Nest is a great one for leaves. I've found a page to show you too. There are even leaf borders on here!

Creative Memories Traveler cartridge has a ton of leaves. I really did not think I needed this one, but there are a ton of great cuts on it besides the leaves :)

The cartridge I spotlighted last week, Close to My Heart Art Philosophy also has lots of leaves on it. This is still my favorite right now :)

Here's a card I made this week with a leaf from that cart.

There are so many leaves everywhere but I have just one more for you today--Cupcake Wrappers! There are a few wrappers with leaves and toppers too. I have this cartridge, but sad to say I have used it but once. There are so many great cupcake wrappers on it though and I have been going through a cupcake phase :)

I hope you all find some leaves to play with and join in the challenge this week. There's still plenty of time! And don't forget to see what the faubulous design team came up with on the Monday post.

Have a Fantabulous Weekend!!









Thursday Tutorial- Using Alcohol Inks for your Leaf and Fall Projects

Hello everyone this is Suzanne (cricutcraftingrammy) and it is time for the Thursday Tutorial and this week the Monday challenge at FCCB is Leaves are Falling. I love looking at all the projects everyone is entering in the challenges every week. So keep them coming. Also thank you so much for all your comments about last weeks tutorial on making your own Baker's Twine. Your comments are much appreciated.

This week for the tutorial I am going to share how I use Tim Holtz Alcohol inks to make Fall projects including leaves. If you have never used Alcohol Inks there are videos on You Tube for more details.

First step is you need glossy paper for the best effect. When I first started using the inks I was not able to get Tim Holtz glossy paper sheets at Michaels. They now have it in the stores. I found this package of greeting cards and envelopes (which is glossy paper) and the paper works great at my local office store.

To start you drip colored drops randomly on the pad of the colors you choose. I usually do 3 colors but it depends on the project. I lay my paper on an old Cricut mat so it does not die my desk. Also I recommend you wear gloves if you do not want ink on your hands.

Next you drop several drops on the pad of the Alcohol Blending Solution. This begins mixing and blending the colors.

Now you are ready to stamp to your hearts desire with the pad. If need be you can add more alcohol ink and more blending solution. Stamp until you happy with what you have. If you need more of another color add that and blend again.

This is the finished piece. I used Currant, Copper and Sun Orange on this one.

Another method is to drop colors randomly on paper and then pour alcohol ink on them and watch them spill over each other. The colors here are Sun Orange, Butterscotch, Caramel and Ginger. This uses more ink and can get messy and too wet.

The third one I stamped again with pad and I added more green. The colors here are Sun Orange, Lettuce and Latte

Let the pieces dry well. If the paper is still damp it will stick and tear in your machine or punch. Now you are ready to cut, punch or emboss. I chose to use my Cuttlebug and some of my Fall Folders.

You can use punches to cut out shapes or you use any other die cuttin machine.

Here are the two cards I made from my three pieces I made. I wanted you to see the finished product and the vivid colors. For the first the leaves are cut and embossed with Cuttlebug or punched from MS punches. Give Thanks is from the Phrases cart.

This one I embossed with a pumpkin embossing folder. In person it is really amazing and almost looks like it is metal. I used an EK punch for the side pumpkins. The other pumpkin is cut and embossed from another cuttlebug folder and is from the third piece. Thanks is cut from another Cuttlebug diecut. I then added Wonder Thread to the top of the pumpkin.

Don't you love the rich colors? I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and can use these techniques in some of your Fall and other projects. Please join in the Falling Leaves challenge and show us your leaf projects.

Happy craftin!

Wednesday Winners #78

Ahoy Mateys!  In case you were under a rock last week, our challenge "It's a Pirate's Life" was created for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. We just turned it into a week-long event over here at FCCB. Isn't that one of the best excuses for a holiday ever? LOL  I love it. Every year it falls on my SIL's  b-day & she gets such a kick out of that.  Well our DT and and our other mateys came up with a treasure trove of awesome booty... er, loot.  Somethin' like that!  Argh!   If you missed out, you better head over -HERE to check out all of the awesome projects Now onto our lucky winner of the week and our Top 5 (picked by our DT members)...

~This Weeks Winner~
All Year Round stamp set from  Bug Bites
#24 Diana - DL Art

Congratulations Diana!!!
To claim your prize please contact Marlene at... hearts0314 @ msn .com (remove spaces)
You have two weeks to claim your prize
Remember to grab your "FCCB Winner" blinky to display on your blog, you can find the blinky code in the right hand side bar.

~Design Team Top 5~


#27 Channin - Craft Ghetto


#7 Melody - A Splash Here and There


#17 Lisa - A Mermaid's Crafts


#4 Holly - Ribbons & Glue


#26 Kimberly - Just Wordz

Congratulations Ladies!!!

Remember to grab your "FCCB Top 5" blinky to display on your blog! You can find the blinky code on our right-hand sidebar.

Thank you to all those who participated in our challenge (aren't the projects just Fantabulous?)!

Come join us for this weeks "Leaves are Falling" challenge - Here.

Make a project with leaves on it.

XO ~ Amy Jo

Quick Tip Tuesday: Cutting Out Embossed Paper

Happy Tuesday to you all.  This is Carissa, a FCCB DT member,  here to share a quick tip about cutting out embossed papers.  I've seen this technique used to make really clean, quick, and beautiful cards.  I am demonstrating this technique using a plain white cardstock so you can really see the impression the technique makes.
First, emboss a piece of cardstock with your Cuttlebug, Big Shot, or whatever embossing tool you use.  I embossed with the Spots and Dots Cuttlebug folder and the Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug folder.

Next, cut out selected areas using a hobby knife or punch.  I used my Cropadile Big Bite to make varied size holes on the Spots and Dots sample.  Then I used a hobby knife to cut out different shapes in the Floral Fantasy sample.

Lastly, I adhered paper to the back of each sample and let the color peek through the parts I cut.  I put a piece of multicolored stripes behind the Spots and Dots.  I pieced several small pieces of coordinating paper behind the Floral Fantasy to get the exact color I wanted exactly where I wanted it.

Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy tip.  It can really transform the way you use your embossed paper.

May all your crafting dreams come true!

Carissa

Challenge Me Monday #79

How beautifully leaves grow old.

How full of light and color are their last days.

~John Burroughs~

#79 – Leaves are Falling
Create a project with leaves on it

~ Design Team Inspiration ~

Cathy
~Guest Designer~
View Cathy's FCCB Spotlight Page HERE
Doodlecharms cartridge

Amy

Heritage, Gypsy Wanderings, George and Basic Shapes cartridges

Barb
CM Cheerful Seasons, Once Upon a Princess cartridges

Glenda
Stretch Your Imagination cartridge

Jamie
Give a Hoot cartridge

Jennie
New Arrival, Classic Font, Sweet Treats, Create a Critter, All Mixed Up cartridges

Jewels
Lacy Labels, Straight from the Nest, Designer's Calendar cartridges

Kate
Create a Critter, Car Decals, George and Basic Shapes cartridges

Larelyn
Celebrate with Flourish cartridge

Marlene
Pooh Font, Doodlecharms, Create a Critter, Freshly Picked cartridges

Robin
Create a Critter, Paper Lace, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridges

Saundra
Create a Critter, Doodlecharms, Gypsy Wanderings cartridges

Suzanne
Enjoy the Seasons cartridge

Tanya
Art Philosophy cartridge

~This Week's Sponsor~

This week, we have a "Mystery Sponsor"!

Stay tuned for more details!

To link your project for this week's "Leaves are Falling" challenge, click on the blue "add your link" button below!

This challenge ends at Midnight, October 2nd (Mountain Time).

Spotlight Sunday

Hello Fantabulous Friends, and welcome to another Spotlight Sunday!

Fall is in the air and isn't it wonderful??!!

Today we are spotlights Cathy from Crafting Cathy.
This is the adorable card that Cathy entered at FCCB a couple of weeks ago for our Challenge # 75, the color yellow. I just love her card design, the fun colors, and that cute little spider! If all spiders looked like that, they could hang out at my house anytime, LOL!



Before we look at some of Cathy's other creations, let's get to know her a little bit better.

1. When did you start scrapbooking/paper crafting and why?
I have always enjoyed crafting of all sorts. I used to make an occasional card to send to friends on special occasions. About 2 years ago I discovered a card blog while surfing the net. I thought it would be fun to enter a challenge. Looking back it makes me laugh, because I had no idea there were so many paper crafting products on the market and that I would become so addicted to making cards.

2. What is your favorite type of project to make (i.e., cards, layouts, mini-albums, etc....)?
Card making is by far the craft that I love most. I love all of the friends I have met since I started my blog. It is so much fun to see and be inspired by other crafter's work. I love to try different techniques and card folds. Fun Fun Fun....

3. What is your favorite product to use on your projects?
I love everything that I use to make my cards. I don't know what my favorite product is. I love all of the designer papers. I could not part with my Cricut. I love my Cuttlebug and all the embossing folders. I also love embossing with powders. I love the ease of punches and I am crazy for all of the wonderful embellishments. Oh, and did I mention that I love my rubber stamps? I guess if I had to choose one thing I would pick my Copic markers. I have not mastered them but I sure enjoy coloring with them.

4. What is your favorite Cricut cartridge?
I love the Doodle Charms Cartridge. It has so many wonderful things on it. My husband bought me From My Kitchen and I absolutely love it. I think From My Kitchen is my favorite cartridge at present.

5. What do you do in your spare time, when you are not paper crafting?
I don't seem to have much spare time. I work a full time job. When my husband and I are off together we like to take the dogs to the park and let them run. We adopted both of our dogs and they are so well behaved. I think they know we saved them. They seem Grateful.
We also have a tuxedo cat named Bailey.
I also love to garden. I have several flower beds and I love to give bouquets away to friends.


Here are some of Cathy's other creations you will find on her blog.

I just love this sweet scene Cathy created for a "mother" card. The clothesline is just so cute!

Cathy loves her Copic markers and she does an excellent job in her coloring. I love this happy-go-lucky Santa, the red velvet bow, and the vintage paper.

I love the bright and happy colors of this card. The little girl is just precious!

Make sure to stop by Cathy's blog to check out these and her other wonderful projects!

Come back and visit us tomorrow for a new Challenge Me Monday project. And guess what?! Cathy is going to be a Guest Designer tomorrow for our next challenge!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Happy Crafting!

Sabrina
FCCB Spotlight Sunday Hostess