Thursday Tutorial - Using Mat Layers in Cricut Craft Room

Hi All,

This is Sheila again here with another Thursday Tutorial.

I've been playing around in Cricut Craftroom lately.

I haven't had been able to make any cuts yet but it is a great tool for laying out and testing colour on a design.

While perusing over at Obsessed With Scrapbooking,  I came across this great video tutorial on how to make a word book using 'mat layers'.

Take a look.

Hope you found this useful and Hope you try it out!

Wednesday Winners #112

Good Morning Fantabulous Friends,

Welcome to another wonderful Wednesday here at FCCB! Is it just me or is time really flying this Spring/soon-to-be Summer???  Wow, it seems like I blink and another week has gone by! It's already time for the wind down of school and for graduation for many of the families out there.  I must admit, I'm super happy I haven't had to attend a graduation in a long time!  I don't like going to them, but I certainly don't mind making projects for them. ;)  And I'm pretty sure you folks out there enjoy that part of it too, judging by all of the great projects from last week's "You Did It" challenge!  I can't believe all of the unique projects that were created for this challenge.  If you missed it, you can check it out HERE to see what our amazing DT, Guest Designer -- Kathie, and our participants came up with.  I was seriously impressed that so many fun styles/fonts/colors were used.  These graduation projects were anything but boring (unlike the ceremonies *wink wink*)!  Great job, friends!!!

One lucky participant of last week's challenge will receive a gift certificate sponsored by Simon Says Stamp!    Have I mentioned, they don't have just stamps?  They also have tons of new scrapbooking product so be sure to check out their store!  Let's get on to the Top 5, picked by our fantabulous DT, as well as our weekly winner!

Friends, one other thing I have to mention is for all of our challenges please be sure to include at least ONE Cricut Cut (can be an SVG as long as it's cut with your Cricut) on your project or it will not be eligible for the Top 5 or the Winner of our sponsored prize.  This is very important as we are a Cricut Challenge blog!

~This Weeks Winner ~

(chosen by random.org)
$25 gift certificate from Simon Says Stamp

#1 Diana L. - 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~


#15 Jayne - Jayne Designs



#16 CricutAllTime - Amo Mi Cricut


#17 Lori - Got2beCrafting



#12 Laurel S. - Seabrook Designs


#34 Gigi - The Cricut Bug


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.  We loved your projects!!!

Come join us for this week's "Memorial Day" challenge - Here.

Make a project using the color red, plus anything that makes you think of Memorial Day (ie., a flag, military symbol, or poppy).

(Be sure to use at least ONE Cricut cut on your project.)

XO ~ Amy Jo

Recondition Your Mat # 2

Good morning everybody! I'm Cyndy and I'll be taking over Quick Tip Tuesdays for the next few weeks! Jamie has been doing a fantabulous job these past weeks!  I've been playing with the ol' Cricut since mid 2010 and I hope the tips I have help you as much as they've helped me.

As you probably guessed by the title, this is another, yet different tip on how to recondition your Cricut mat. See Jamie's here. 

My BFF saw how much I was struggling with my mats not being sticky enough especially while cutting that she showed me a quick and cheap way to recondition them. 

1. Clean your mat. You can either use just soap and water or baby wipes.

2. Use blue painters tape to tape around the border of the mat. 

3. Spray 1- 2 coats of Krylon Easy-Tack Repositional Adhesive, depending on how sticky you want it. Try to do it outside or in an open area. Note: It's acid free and it's typically about $6.99 at Michael's and you can use a 40% or 50% coupon on it! 

4. Let your mat dry for about 5 minutes. 

5.  Remove the blue painters tape you're all set to craft! 

Disclaimer: Using the following to recondition your mats may void the warranty.

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you find this tip useful! I will be back next Tuesday for another quick tip! 

- Cyndy

Challenge Me Monday #113

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  This holiday has very personal meaning for me.  For the last twelve years, the military has played a huge role in my life.  I am a veteran.  My sister and brother also served.  I also have the military to thank for my family, my husband and I met while serving. Although I am no longer in the military, my husband is making a career out of it and I continue to serve as an Army Wife.  To all the military families whose loved ones are home or far away, thank you for all of your sacrifices.  To all the civilians, hold your loved ones a little closer today.  Somewhere a military family member is wishing they could do just that.

This week, Fantabulous Cricut is THRILLED to be sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts. Wild Orchid Crafts is a family-run business that strives to provide the best products and service to their customers that they possibly can.  Some of our design team members have created their projects with supplies from Wild Orchid Crafts.  Check below to see the wonderful possibilities!

Wild Orchid Crafts started selling their mulberry paper roses back in 2005. Since then, they have  added many new flowers. All of their mulberry paper flowers are made using natural, renewable resources. The flowers are all handmade by experienced craftspeople using high quality materials and great care is taken to ensure that they are made to the highest standard. The production process does not involve using acid or other chemical additives. Wild Orchid Crafts is very proud of the quality and manner in which their flowers are produced, and the fact that they are made using natural, renewable resources.

A few members of our wonderful design team received some of these GORGEOUS mulberry flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and used them to make their Memorial Day projects. Just see how easy it is to combine Wild Orchid Crafts' flowers with your Cricut cuts!

Design Team Inspiration

using Wild Orchid Craft Flowers

Amy

Independence Day cartridge

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

Cyndy

Summer Celebrations cartridge

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

Karen

Stand and Salute cartridge

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

Kate

Elegant Edges, and George and Basic Shapes cartridges

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

Marlene

Plantin SchoolBook cartridge

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

Robin

A Child's Year, George and Basic Shapes cartridges.

Wild Orchid Crafts flowers

#113 - Memorial Day

Make a project using the color red plus anything that makes you think of Memorial Day (ie. a flag, military symbol, or poppy).

When linking your project, please remember to list on your blog what Cricut cartridge you used.

Guest Designer

Donya

Just Because Cards, Independence Day and Car Decals cartridges

Design Team Inspiration 

Beckie

Once Upon a Princess cartridge

Jamie

A Child's Year and Stand and Salute cartridges

Judy Ann

Stand and Salute cartridge

Melissa

Designer's Calendar and Stand & Salute cartridges

Sheila

Wild Card and Accent Essentials cartridges

Suzanne

A Child's Year, Plantin Schoolook, and Straight from the Nest cartridges

Tanya

Stand and Salute cartridge

To link your project for this week's "FCCB's Memorial Day" challenge,

click on the blue "add your link" button below!

This challenge ends at Midnight, June 3rd(Mountain Time).

As a courtesy to our design team, please consider turning off the word verification on your blog. With the new system, it has become quite difficult to leave comments for our FANTABULOUS followers.

When linking your project, please remember to list on your blog what Cricut cartridge you used.

Spotlight Sunday

Happy Sunday Friends! Great, as always, to see you! You're looking good.


This week's Spotlight is on Donya of OK Scrappin' Mama. She took a Wednesday Win with this cutie pie...

The great stuff doesn't stop there. Take a look what's on her blog...

Everything is super cute, huh? Well, Donya can't help but create such cute stuff....'cause she's a real sweetheart herself. Let's get to know her.

When did you start scrapbooking/paper crafting and why? 

I started scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my daughter in 2001. 

A friend who was into Creative Memories gave me an album, stickers, papers 

and tools, and told me I would never regret documenting our life with pictures.

I started making cards in 2009 with store bought stickers, papers and items. 

Then in 2010 when I got all my Cricut stuff started making cards that way.

What is your favorite type of project to make (i.e., cards, layouts, mini-albums, etc....)? 

I enjoy doing both cards and layouts. Making cards is more creative and relaxing for me and I love entering challenges with what I’ve created. I don’t alter things much but really want to start doing that and stamping and using my Prismacolor pencils. 

What is your favorite product to use on your projects? 

Cricut images are a given. Tough to pick a favorite product…if you ask my 10 yr old, she would say paper! LOL I have way to much of it. But also like to use ribbon, buttons and stickles.

What is your favorite Cricut cartridge? 

So many to decide from. I use Gypsy Wanderings quite a bit and Lacy labels for frames and mats. I love the alphabet on Nates ABC’s so that is my go to for welding wording with my gypsy. I use Paper Doll For Every Day a lot just because there are so many different cuts to use on there if you size it right for your project. 

What do you do in your spare time, when you are not paper crafting?

When not crafting I’m keeping up with or 10 yr old and 4 yr old, PTA and their activities. I work part-time at Bath and Body Works. I love to cook, garden and read. We are very family oriented so always spending time on weekends with both sides of the family too. 

Any other information you would like us to know about you?

I’m a fun loving, happily married SAHM with the energy and attitude of a 25-year-old trapped in a 45-year-old body. LOL I’m always thinking of things I want to try (like stamping) but don’t always have the time. I love paper crafting and blogging. The next thing I want to accomplish is find a good fit for a Design Team. 

I want to thank FCCB so much for featuring me today--it was a true privilege! I look forward to my Guest Designer spot tomorrow. Thank you! 

Thanks a bunch, Donya!  Now...hop over and take a hop around OK Scrappin' Mama. Then come back tomorrow for Challenge Me Monday when Donya shines with the FCCB DT.

Be blessed, Beckie

Spotlight Sunday Hostess

Scrappin' Saturday - You did it!

Happy Scrappin’ Saturday Everyone!!  This has been the week of Graduations!  I had several friends that kiddos graduating or they themselves graduating from college.  How about you?  Do you or your kiddos graduate?  If so....CONGRATULATIONS!!!  YOU DID IT!!! :) #112 – You did it!! - Make a graduation project.  If you haven't submitted a project for the challenge this week...there is still time!!  There are so many great projects that have already been submitted for this week's Challenge!  I wanted to showcase a couple of them with you today..... Judy made these adorable party favors for her niece that is graduating.  I love the hats on each of the bags & the banner is a great touch!! 
Tracy made this great banner for her sister & her's graduation.  I love how she made the first & last section the graduation hat!!    An'Jenicmade this great fun card!  I love the polka-dot paper & the embossed graduation hat pops on top of the black paper!   What kind of graduation projects have you made?  Any cards or layouts?  We love comments...so leave one with your blog address so we can stop by to see your great creations, & so we know you stopped by!  Hope you are able to find some time to do some Scrappin’ this Saturday or over this long Memorial Day weekend!!   Thanks for stopping by! 
Melissa

Fantabulous Friday - You Did It!

Hi, everyone! Faith Abigail here with this week's edition of Fantabulous Friday. Our theme this week is You Did It!: Make a graduation project.

The Cricut Cake Basics cartridge has an elegant title sentiment...

...and the Something to Celebrate cartridge features a beautiful graduation cap.

The Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge has an adorable paper doll graduate and accessories.

And, finally, the Happy Graduation Seasonal cartridge contains many wonderful, owl-themed images and a fantastic banner feature. 

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you've found some inspiration.

Thursday Tutorial for FCCB - Word Window...

Hi All,

I'm Sheila and I will be taking over our Thursday's Tutorials.

Thanks again to Holly for manning this 'post' for the past few weeks, 

she did such a great job.

I've been paper crafting since the fall of 2007, and purchase my Cricut Expression in winter of 2010. I've been hooked ever since. 

I like to say that the cards I make are little works of art expressed from the heart.

I hope you'll bear with me while I try to bring you something new and different for the next few weeks.

One of the most useful tools I've found, is my Gypsy.

Another Sheila, over at She's a Sassy Lady has a series of very helpful videos called Gypsy made simple. She demonstrates an absolutly gorgeous Get Well card here that has kind of a word window. This technique makes a very nice card like this one pictured below.

The videos below shows how you can do it too.

Here's my version below.

Thanks for stopping by,  Hope you've found this helpful.