The BugBytes Holiday Blog Hop & Shhh! There's Blog Candy . . .

Happy Saturday everyone!  Welcome to your next stop on The BugBytes Holiday Blog Hop.  You should have arrived here from KamsCraftyPlace.  Please make sure to stop by and see of the bloggers work.  There are a lot of wonderful projects being featured and a number of bloggers are offering blog candy, including myself.  Who doesn't love blog candy!

The Lineup is as Follows:

1. Pam - http://www.thebugbytes.com/
2. Jeannie -  http://nonnasscraps.blogspot.com/
3. Jen -  http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/
4. Carole - http://www.onmycraftroomwall.blogspot.com/
5. Lisa Brooks -  http://thejourneyoflisaslife.blogspot.com
6. Audrey -  http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/
7. Mila - http://milamemories.blogspot.com/
8. Sheila aka sassylady - http://shesasassylady.blogspot.com/
9. Elizabeth - http://217creations.blogspot.com/
10. Kelly Millet - http://www.kamscraftyplace.blogspot.com
11. Dayna Sabrina - http://www.sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com/ (you are here!)
12. Lori -   http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
13. Denine Vajja - http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/
14. Melissa - www.melissamade2.blogspot.com

15. Allison -  http://goodybagdiva.blogspot.com/   

I want to share with you a project I've been working on this week.  I volunteered to make the thank you cards and gift treat boxes for one of my son's team of teachers.  I am sure you have noticed that kraft paper is really trendy right now. I usually don't find myself jumping into the latest trends, but I am all over this one!  I really, love the vintage and classic feel that this paper has.  Plus, its a little more rustic and as a Mom of two boys, it helps that it's not girly.  I was recently shopping in Hobby Lobby when I came across this gorgeous Holiday kraft paper made by Canvas Corp.  I knew immediately that I wanted to use it for this project.

Those of you who are regular followers know that I recently purchased a Silhouette Cameo.  My initial experience with my machine wasn't so good but I am happy to report that things have taken a turn toward the positive.  After getting two bad blades, the third one seems to be doing the trick.   I am also getting more familiar with the software which I am rating as a firm "A".  There are a few things here and there that I would change, but overall it is really easy to learn and it is an extremely powerful design tool. I love all of the things that it can do!  And this is coming from someone who thought she would never love anything as much as Make The Cut.  I used my Cameo and my Cricut to complete this project.  Each of the card mats was cut out with my Silhouette using images from the Silhouette store. Several of the cards feature focal points from the new Circle cart - Paper Trimmings, and several focal points are all from the Silhouette store.  I love having the opportunity to mix and max at my leisure.

I have some additional closeups of each card and gift boxes that I want to share, and I will post a little Recipe for each card at the end for those who are curious where the images from that particular card came from.  I also wanted to share the that cookie tower, or treat box file is actually an SVG that I imported into the Silhouette Studio (how awesome that you can do that!).  I've had the file for some time and its original creator is Melinda Ford.  You can find Melinda's blog here.  She is a talented crafter with lots of great ideas and projects to share.

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp. Holiday kraft Paper; DCWV Dazzle Stack

Silhouette:  Reindeer, Flourish Apple, Mats, Ornament on inside

Print & Cut Tag on the gift box

Cricut Paper Trimmings:  Snowflake, Tags Bags & Boxes:  Gift Card Holder

Bells & Ribbon: My Stash - purchased from Michaels

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp. Holiday kraft Paper; DCWV Dazzle Stack

Silhouette:  Ornamnet, Flourish Apple, Mats, Ornament on inside

Print & Cut Tag on the gift box

Cricut Paper Trimmings:  Snowflake, Tags Bags & Boxes:  Gift Card Holder

Twine: The Twinery

Bells & Ribbon, Brads & Metal Snowflake: My Stash

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp. Holiday kraft Paper; DCWV Dazzle Stack

Silhouette:  Flourish Apple, Mats, Ornament on inside

Print & Cut Tag on the gift box

Cricut Paper Trimmings:  Ornament, Tags Bags & Boxes:  Gift Card Holder

Twine: The Twinery

Bells & Ribbon: My Stash - purchased from Michaels

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp. Holiday kraft Paper; DCWV Dazzle Stack

Silhouette:  Flourish Apple, Mats, Ornament on inside

Print & Cut Tag on the gift box

Cricut Paper Trimmings:  Christmas Tree, Tags Bags & Boxes:  Gift Card Holder

Twine: The Twinery

Bells & Ribbon: My Stash - purchased from Michaels

And now, it's time for the Blog Candy! Up for grabs is one new Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge.  It is one of my all time favorite cartridges.  I just checked and as of right now, I have twenty-three projects that feature this cartridge in some way, form, or fashion.  If you own a Cricut, then this is a definite must have!  Here are the rules for the drawing - leave a comment at the end of this post with a way to contact you (email is preferable) and you are entered to win.  That's it.  One entry person is allowed and I will take entries up until next Friday morning, December 16th @ 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.  I will choose a random winner and get the cart off to you as soon as I can.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and hey - you're not done!  Your next stop on the list is Lori @ http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/.