Spotlight Sunday

Welcome to Spotlight Sunday! We will be taking a break from spotlighting guest designers for a while as we would love to introduce you to our Fantabulous Cricut Design Team. We announced the new design team for this term last week. We are so excited to have this much talent showcased here at FCCB! If you missed the announcement you can view the list of new Fantabulous Cricut designers – HERE. We are going to start by introducing you to two returning design team members. We are so pleased to have Helen and Kate back with us for another term. We asked them both to answer a few crafty questions so that you can get to know them a little better.Let me first introduce to you to Helen from Crafting Cricut Mom. 1. When did you start scrapbooking/paper crafting? Why? I started scrapbooking 13 years ago when my son was one. Some friends and I would meet and scrap together while our children played. 2. What is your favorite type of project to make? My favorite projects right now are cards, but I really need to catch up on scrapping! 3. What is your favorite product to use on your projects? I love to use stickles on just about everything I make! 4. What is your favorite Cricut cartridge? Right now my favorite cartridge is Create a Critter, but that can change at any time :) 5. What do you do in your spare time, when you are not paper crafting? I love to read when I can find a good book and I sometimes knit. 6. Any other info you would like us to know about you. I'm a married mom of two kids, work full time and have a puppy. But I still carve out time to use my Cricut! And I love being on this Design Team!! Here are a few things that you will find on Helen’s blog: Make sure you visit Helen’s blog to discover all the wonderful things she has to share with you.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Now let me introduce to you to Kate from Small Bits of Paper.

1. When did you start scrapbooking/paper crafting? Why?

In 2005, our family was planning a trip to England and I thought it would be a wonderful idea to make a scrapbook for each of the children. When I heard that a woman I knew was hosting a Creative Memories party, I went to learn a bit more about scrapbooking and ended up buying a kit of tools. I didn't end up making all the books as planned, but I did get hooked on paper crafting!

2. What is your favorite type of project to make?

I love to make cards - mostly cards to send friends and family, but I also enjoy participating in ATC swaps on the Cricut message board.

3. What is your favorite product to use on your projects?

I emboss anything I can! I love my Cuttlebug and enjoy adding texture to my paper crafts. I also get a lot of use out of my pop dots.

4. What is your favorite Cricut cartridge?

If I had to choose one cartridge, I think it would be Doodlecharms. It was one of my first cartridges and I've always thought the little images were so sweet. I especially like the Doodlecharms teddy.

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

I don't have a lot of spare time! I'm quite busy with my work (I review medical briefs and academic records), school (I'm working toward my Master of Education and Digital Technology), and family (amazing husband and three fantastic children). I volunteer at my youngest son's school, helping with the safe arrival and nutrition programs, as well as special lunches and trips. I'm also involved with the local chapter of the Ontario Autism Association. I enjoy meeting up with friends for breakfast or lunch dates. I still meet up with friends from my younger days for slumber parties once or twice a year (and we all bring our daughters now too!). At home, I like to have a puzzle on the dining room table. It's fun the way different family members are there at different times and provides a great way to connect. I read a lot, but these days it's mostly research information! I do watch two television programs too: Grey's Anatomy with my husband and Extreme Makeover Home Edition with the entire family.

6. Any other info you would like us to know about you.

I also like to travel. I've been all the way across Canada (we did this in two summers - one summer we went all the way to the east coast, and one summer we went all the way to the west coast, as well as northern Ontario and the northern United States). I've been to New York, California and Florida (and the States between Ontario and Florida). I've also taken numerous trips to England (my homeland) and been to Scotland too. A few years ago, I went with my mother and sisters to Paris. I've also travelled to Egypt and Israel. Next year, my husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and we plan to finally take a honeymoon!!

Here are a few things you will find on Kate’s blog:

Make sure you visit Kate’s blog to discover all the wonderful things she has to share with you.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know some of our designers.

Come back tomorrow to see what our Fantabulous Design Team has created for Challenge Me Monday.

Happy Crafting!

Saundra

FCCB Spotlight Sunday Hostess

* If you would like to be a sponsor for Fantabulous Cricut please contact Robin via the Contact Me tab.

Scrappin' Saturday: Shape Albums

Hi, there! My name is Lisa N., and this is my first Scrappin' Saturday post here at FCCB. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share some scrappin' inspiration with you during the next couple of months! Since the challenge for this week is to make a shape card, I thought it would be a perfect time to explore shape albums.

As I was browsing around on YouTube, I found this great video showing a gorgeous shape album...with a TWIST. Watch to see what I mean: 
Isn't that a great idea? Including magnetic hiding spots in a shape album just adds to the fun! Of course, once I watched this video, I just HAD to check out the rest of this designer's work! So, I headed over to her blog, Bug Junkie, to see what else she has created. I was just blown away!! Not only does this designer make all sorts of shape albums, but she's a talented scrapbooker and card maker, too! But, today, we're talking about shape albums (FOCUS, Lisa!), so have a look at some of the adorable shape albums she's created.  Baby Girl Onesie Mini Album Sunny Days Shape Album Volcano Shaped Album The Night Before Christmas Album Create a Window-Fall AlbumAren't her shape books just AMAZING? I love how much detail she puts into everything! Believe me, there's so much more to see, so you should definitely check out her blog! You won't be disappointed! Also, Bug Junkie has a YouTube Channel where she shares all sorts of tutorials, including a whole series that gives step-by-step instructions on how to make a shape book.  Well, I hope you've enjoyed the FANTABULOUS shape books I shared with you today. I'd love it if you'd share a shape book you've made. If you link up your shape book below, we can all visit your blog and check it out. I can't wait to see what you've created! Have an awesome Saturday!!! 



Fantabulous Friday - "Birthday Bash"

Welcome to Fantabulous Friday!

Can you believe it's Friday already? I don't know about you, but this week has flown by for me.

Well, I'm glad you're here and I hope you are ready to explore another fun cartridge this week!

This week's challenge here at FCCB is...

Challenge #49 Shaped Card
We challenge you to create a shaped card something other then a square or rectangle.
You can check out this fun challenge and enter your project HERE.

Keeping all this in mind, I started going through all my cartridges trying to find the perfect cartridge for this week's challenge. I think I may have found it in "Birthday Bash". What a fun cartridge this one is! Let's take a look at all the Creative Features available on this cartridge...

*Layer 1

*Layer 2

*Phrase

*Card/Tag

*Font

*Font Shadow

Ok...show and tell time!

My granddaughter (Emma) is always telling me that I make "stuff" for everyone else and I never make anything for her....poor, neglected baby! Can you feel her pain? Going through my handbook for Birthday Bash, I saw an image that has Emma's name all over it...at least it did by the time I was finished with it....

For this darling little crown, I used the Card/Tag Feature from page 47. I chose the Fit to Page option and my Cricut cut this card at 5 3/4 inches. I used the Font Feature for Emma's name. This is a great font, very crisp and clean. A little glitter, a lot of bling and you have a crown fit for a queen...

or a granddaugther...same thing in my house!

For my next project, I decided on a gift bag and matching card. I didn't want this to be too "birthday-ish" so that I can use it for whatever occasion pops up and catches me unaware! I think this set will do the trick...

For the card, I used the Card/Tag Feature from page 50. I cut this card at 7 inches.

I used a couple of embossing folders and lots of glitter on this card...looks yummy!

For the gift bag, I used the ice cream sundae from page 55 cut it at 2 1/2 inches. This cut has a lot of layers that go together very easily and add up to a beautiful looking ice cream treat!

The "lots of love" sentiment is from the Phrase Feature found on page 49.

And the ice cream cone at the top of the bag is from the Card/Tag Feature on page 57.

There are so many great cuts on this cartridge. I see myself using this one again and again.

I hope you enjoyed our little exploration of "Birthday Bash" today. I would love to see what you have created with this cartridge, so leave me a comment with a link to your project and I'll be on my way for a visit. Think we could have some ice cream while I'm there? No...really....do you?

Until next time,

Tanya



Thursday's Tutorials: Lollipop Shape Card using Cricut machine

Happy Thursday Everyone and Welcome to another Thursday's Tutorial here at Fantabulous Cricut. This week, we are focusing on shape cards and I have a video from our very own Robin to share with you. She has made the most adorable Lollipop shape cards. They even include a real popsicle stick and the cutest packaging. Be sure to check out her blog for more great projects and ideas here: http://robinscreativecottage.blogspot.com/

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and remember you still have time to enter this week's challenge.

Happy Crafting!

Jean



Wednesday Winners #48

Wow... have you ever seen so much "embossed" inspiration in one place? I hope you've taken a few minutes to check out the entries for the "Emboss It!" challenge, that will definitely get your creative juices going! If you missed it, view the entries -HERE.
Thank you to every one who joining us,

~This Weeks Winner~
Sesame Street Friends cricut cartridge
donated by

(chosen by random.org)

#24 Lynda -Lynda's Creative Touches

Congratulations Lynda!!!

To claim your prize please contact Robin at...
fantabulous cricut @ yahoo .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 on our right-hand sidebar.

~Design Team Top 5~

#56 Amanda B -Amanda's Crafts and More

#73 Carrie Anne -The Serendipitous Scrapper

#93 Vivi M -Vivi en Papel

#115 Cricitalltime -amo mi cricut

#124 Colleen -Cricut Lass

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 "Shaped Card" challenge -HERE

We challenge you to create shape card, something other then the usual square or rectangle card.

Quick Tip Tuesday: Pop Dots

Welcome to Quick Tip Tuesday!  Although I LOVE paper crafting, I am often horrified with the amount of waste involved with this hobby.  In an effort to save this world for my children and future generations, I do my best to reduce and reuse as much as possible. 

When all the dots are gone from a sheet of pop dots, I keep the sheet and cut bits off as needed.  (I find it much easier to just cut as I go.  However, you may wish to cut the entire sheet and have little bits ready when needed.)  By the time I'm finished with the sheet, the only garbage comes from the protective film - all sticky foam is used.  I figure it makes no difference if I am using "pop bits" opposed to "pop dots" as nobody sees them anyway!  Also, I often cut strips for longer or larger images that I wish to pop.

Cut bits off the leftover sheet of sticky foam as required.

Stick "pop bits" on the back of the image you wish to raise.

Finished shape card - created with Car Decals and "pop bits"

Happy Crafting!