Welcome to Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog! Cricut enthusiasts come share your projects with us. Twice monthly we offer simple challenges for your chance to win! No matter which size Cricut machine you have, come join the fun.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Quick Tip Tuesday: Binders


Happy Tuesday Everyone.  I'm so glad you decided to join me for another Quick Tip.

Today I'm sharing all the ways I use binders to help me organize my crafts.
First, I use binders to store my clear stamps. I just slip the stamps into page protectors.  I have a 3" binder that holds my general use stamps and then 5 smaller ones. I separate the stamps by holidays, character stamps (e.g Tilda), sentiments, and stamps I use for coloring.  I know there are fancier ways to store them, but I had lots of binders and page protectors from my years of teaching and presenting workshops and, as you learned last week, I'd rather use what I have and spend my money on the creative stuff.

I also use a binder to store my Nestabilities.  I just place a magnetic strip on pieces of cardboard and then slip the Nesties into sectioned page protectors.  And, I keep the directions, rubber mat, and any "sandwich" recipes I use in the binder.

My favorite binder is the one in which I keep the preview pages from Cricut.com so that I can store the images from my 100+ cartridges in one place.  Granted, I can't see what's on the feature buttons, but usually just seeing the images prompts me to use the Gypsy or pull out the handbook.  I sometimes write the feature keys at the bottom of the page and write the words below the image if they're available on a cartridge.

I have another binder with days-of-the-week dividers I've written the blog addresses of some of my favorite challenges on a page behind the tab for the day on which the challenge is posted.  Then, I write the challenge or draw the sketch on papers following the tabs.  That way, I keep my challenges organized and also have a nice sketch reference.

And finally, my last binder is full of notes, how-to's, directions, phone numbers, and problem-solving for my machines, etc.
Here are pictures of 3 of my binder ideas.


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I've chosen to use binders because I have limited space and binders fit nicely on shelves.
Thanks for dropping by.  See you next Tuesday.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,
Larelyn
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Challenge Me Monday #75

The colour yellow is such a sunny, cheerful colour and can really brighten up a project. This week, we are challenging you to add the colour yellow to your Cricut projects.


#75 – A Splash of Colour
Use the colour yellow on your project


~ Design Team Inspiration ~

Amy A
Create a Critter cartridge

Barb
Phrases cartridge
Evanna
Nursery Rhymes cartridge

Glenda
Florals Embellished cartridge

Jamie
Birthday Bash cartridge

Jennie
Mini Monsters, Sweet Treats, Smiley Cards cartridges

Jewels
Pop-Up Neighborhood, Everyday Paper Dolls cartridges

Kate
Car Decals, George and Basic Shapes, Create a Critter, Mickey Font cartridges
Cuttlebug Spots and Dots

Larelyn
Botanicals Lite cartridge

Marlene
Freshly Picked, Plantin SchoolBook cartridges

Robin
Locker Talk cartridge

Sarah
Pack Your Bags cartridge

Suzanne
Storybook, Mother's Day Bouquet cartridges

Tanya
Heritage, Doodlecharms cartridges



~This Week's Sponsor~

Scrapbook Circle is sponsoring this week's challenge and has very generously donated a September Kit for a participant to be drawn at random.

To link your project for this week's "A Splash of Colour" challenge, click on the blue "add your link" button below!
This challenge ends at Midnight, August 4th (Mountain Time).







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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Spotlight Sunday

Hello FCCB Friends and Happy Sunday!

Today we are spotlighting one of our newer FCCB Design Team members, Jessica, from
Cricut After Dark.

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We love getting to know our crafty friends better, so here is some information on Jessica!
1. When did you start scrapbooking/paper crafting? Why?
My mom gave me scrapbooking supplies shortly after my son was born, and I'm ashamed to admit that the box sat in my closet untouched for two years -- until a friend invited me to a scrapbooking retreat this past January. I did my son's entire first year album that weekend! For my birthday a few months later, my parents and hubby gave me a Cricut Expression and accessories -- and my papercrafting addiction was born.


2. What is your favorite type of project to make (i.e. cards, LO, mini-albums, etc.)?
I feel most productive when I'm completing scrapbook pages -- after all, that was my Cricut's original purpose -- but I just love making cards. It's instant craft gratification! I also make diaper cakes and have recently begun incorporating papercrafting into these projects.
3. What is your favorite product to use on your projects?
It's a rare day when I don't use a Cuttlebug embossing folder on a project. I just love the dimension and texture that embossing adds.
4. What is your favorite Cricut cartridge?
It's difficult to choose just one, but I use Birthday Bash most often. I love its cute, fun images, and the font is one of my favorites.



5. What do you do in your spare time, when you are not paper crafting?
I'm a stay-at-home mom to my wonderful two-year-old son, and my hubby and I just celebrated our fifth anniversary. When I'm not crafting, I lead a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group, volunteer in our church's childrens ministries, and love to bargain shop. I've also recently begun extreme couponing, although I'm not too "extreme" at it yet.
Any other info you would like us to know about you:
I'm so excited to be part of FCCB's design team! It's great validation as a papercrafting newbie to give back to our Cricut community.

Here are some projects that you will see on Jessica's blog!

My son Tristan plays Pop Warner football, so I just fell in love with this adorable football box! These would make great coaches' gifts with goodies inside.



This adorable stork card is perfect for a new baby boy.

And look at this gorgeous diaper cake with the matching card below.




Take a hop on over to Cricut After Dark to see these and many other wonderful projects Jessica has created! We are so excited to have her share her talents with us on FCCB!
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. I just want to add a note that my thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Irene. My prayers are that those impacted will recover very soon!
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Make sure to come back tomorrow for a new Challenge Me Monday project!
Happy Crafting!
Sabrina
FCCB Spotlight Sunday Hostess
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Scrappin' Saturday- Birthday Layouts!

Welcome to Scrappin' Saturday!! This week I wanted to carry on with the Birthday theme from Challenge Me Monday and have found some FAB Birthday pages for you. I love birthdays. When we were kids my Mum always made a fuss of us on our birthdays and I try to do the same for my husband and kids now. I love scrapping birthday photos and remembering how much fun we had!!

This very CUTE page is from Lezlye at Lezlye's Ink and Paper Creations
How cute!! She has used Birthday Bash.

Next I have a lovely page by Carolyn at Carolyn's Creative Corner
This is my favourite cut on Nursery Rhymes- I think it is so cute!! She has also used Martha Stewart Birthday Cakes cartridge and Accent Essential. On this blog post there are a couple of other birthday pages to check out!!

Hope you have enjoyed these pages!!

Evanna x

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Fantabulous Friday -- Birthday Bash!

Hi everyone! Who's glad it's Friday?! I know I am. It's been a long week and I was sick for the 1st half and still trying to feel 100%. But at least I have 2 days off now and can play with my Cricut goodies I got in the mail this week :)
Today I thought I would spotlight the Birthday Bash cartridge since that is our theme this week. I always need a birthday card so this cartridge comes in very handy!


The creative features for this cartridge are Layer 1, Layer 2, Phrase, Card/Tag, Font and Font Shadow. There is even a matching Cuttlebug Companion Folder set too!

I found two cards made by Kyle at The Green Cricut. He has some amazing projects at his blog!! Please be sure to visit him and check out his blog. The elephant is one of my favorite cuts on this cart :)



This cartridge has some great banners too. I really want to make a fun birthday themed one sometime, but here is one with a GA theme (since that is where I live). Note: the banner is from Birthday Bash and all other cuts are from several other cartridges. I just really wanted you to see a banner--and this banner is fit to page on a 12 x 12 mat.


And this photo/notebook I made uses the phrase feature. I also used the Your Story to make this!


So as you can see, there are lots of occasions to use this cartridge for than just birthdays too! Be sure to visit the post from Monday to see at the design team's birthday projects and then link up your own that you made for this Challenge :)
Have a fantabulous weekend!
Helen
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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thursday's Tutorial - Birthday Projects

Hi everyone! This is Suzanne from cricutcraftingrammy here to share the Thursday Tutorial with you. I am honored to be a new member to the FCCB Design Team. I have offered to help Amy Jo and Robin with the Thursday Tutorial and am really excited to share with you today. I actually have two items to share with you that goes along with the challenge theme this week which is "Birthday Bash".
The first project I want to share with you is from Sheila at She's a Sassy Lady. Sheila's blog is full of great Gypsy tutorials and I love this one for a Trifold Birthday Card. So now even if you don't have the E2 and the Just a Note Cartridge you can make a trifold card for any occasion. Sheila has a detailed tutorial with tons of pictures. While you are there check out the other great tutorials Sheila has on her blog. Believe me you will learn so much about using your Gypsy.
The second item I want to share is a Birthday Cake tea light. I think these are so fun and a cute addition to a birthday card. I found a great tutorial for these on Split Coast Stampers. For the tutorial they used a scallop punch but you could also use your Cricut or any other die cutting machine to make the scallop circle. Here is the link for a picture tutorial as well as a You Tube video- Birthday cake tealight
The second Birthday cake Tealight is from Paulette (Scraplette) who uses Elegant Edges and MS Elegant Cake Art to make her cake. Aren't those little roses adorable? They are made from Elegant Edges Scallop circles and a quilling tool. Here is the link to her project-Birthday cake tea light

Thanks for joining us today for the FCCB Thursday Tutorial. Hope you get some inspiration from these projects. Don't forget the challenge this week is "Birthday Bash". Hope to see a lot of great projects.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Wednesday Winners #73


Hi Fantabulous Cricut followers,

So sad to say it, but summer is winding down a bit with school starting and changes in weather (not quite yet in Colorado), but it's just the time to start some baking.  To me fall and baking go hand in hand.  It's just a better time to start running the oven.  In the summer heat it's not something I really like to do.  However, for papercrafting we get to do "baked goodies" anytime of the year and that's just what last week's theme was all about.  For those of you that missed it, our challenge was "Piece of Cake", which involved creating a project with a cupcake on it or another baked good.  To take a peek at all the wonderful projects click HERE. As always, there were lots of amazing entries in our challenge and it was hard to pick, but we did come up with our top 5 and our random winner! Let's find out who they are...

~This Weeks Winner~
(Randomly Picked)
Apple Cheddar Collection from Jillibean Soup

 



Congratulations Jenn!!!
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 sidebar.

~Design Team Top 5~

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!
Come join us for this weeks "Birthday Bash" challenge - Here.
Create a birthday project.

XO ~ Amy Jo
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