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/.

More Ribbon Plates

Here is another quick project and Brandy and I put together a few weeks ago.  These plates are a gift for her aunt who is very big into gardening.  I used Make The Cut to cut out the vinyl and the images are mostly clip art believe it or not! I traced them into Make The cut, sized them, and walla!  Again, really fun and easy and most importantly, quick!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to My Sister!

Two of my sisters have birthdays in December and in my effort to actually send a card this year, I decided to get on the first one right away.  My oldest sister lives in Viriginia so this one is mail bound today. If you are a regular follower you can see that I'm in a kraft, red, and black paper phase.  That's okay, I go through these from time to time and as long as I'm happy with what I'm making I'll continue with it until I get bored!  I also used my new Cricut Circle Cart - Paper Trimmings for the first time.  They are quite a few excellent images on this cartridge and even better borders.  I am probably going to be using it a lot, especially for scrapbooking.  I can never have enough borders.  About this card - no sketch was involved.  I just decided on little off center placement of the mats and the focal point.  I also did a little stitching and finished the inside of the card so I can write my sister a nice note. It was a really quick card, it took me less than an hour which is good because I am still working on my sons' teachers' gift boxes and cards.  Stay turned for that one.

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp, Bazzil, Stampin' Up Very Vanilla

Cricut Cartridge:  Paper Trimmings
Spellbinders:  Circles

Stamp:  Waltzingmouse Fancy Phrases
Crinkly Ribbon:  The Craft Spot
Brad:  My Mind's Eye - Stella & Rose

Thanks for stopping by!

Sanctuary

It's been a really long time since I etched something.  So when I saw this file on the vinyl mecca Smart Buy Gal Forum I thought hmm, I could probably do something with that.  Now first you should know that I am not a birdcage fan.  I think I've cut, maybe one, out in the years that I've been crafting.  That said, I really, really liked this one when I saw it.  This is the post that caught my attention Oh How Pretty!  So, when the owner of the file offered it up (so generous) I knew I wanted to make something with it.  It turns out that Brandy's mother is birdcage fan.  Ha!  So easy now, let's make something for Brandy's Mom.

So here it is - etched onto a mirror!  I can only apologize for the picture.  Anyone who has tried to photograph a mirror knows how IMPOSSIBLE it is.  I really didn't want to be in the picture, but eh, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Again, I used my new Silhouette Studio software and imported the SVG file and then cut it out with my Cameo.  I have been putting my Cameo through the paces over the last couple of weeks and will continue to do so until I feel like I've mastered it.  I have to say that my earlier problems seem to have resolved and I am really happy with this machine right now.  I especially love the true 12 x 12 cutting space

  

Christmas Shadow Boxes

So Brandy and I have been working on more Christmas projects.  I decided to try something new, something I had seen at the vinyl mecca - Smart Buy Gal Forum.  It's a really easy, and quick project, vinyl on glass in a shadowbox with some cute Holiday themed trinkets inside.

 

Many of you might recognize the angel in this first box.  This is a file from Kim Bright that I've put on, well, everything.  I never get tired of it it's so beautiful!  I backed it with paper from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found collection, and bells that I picked up from Michaels.  I love the way this one turned out.  It's my favorite.

The second box was created using a file from the Silhouette Studio store.  I bought it, thinking it would look great on a Christmas card, but here I found a different use for it.  I took several more pictures, but unfortunately they didn't come out so I only have the one to show you.  Both of these turned out really well.  I'm not sure where Brandy has decided their final desitnation is, but I hope that where ever they end up they are loved!  I've never done anything like this before and I always get a little thrill when something new turns out well.

Recipe:

Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found Christmas, DCWV (Recollections) Jingle Bells Christmas

Silhouette: Christmas Present Boxes, Beatiful Angel (imported as an SVG)

Bells & Shadow Box - Michaels

Thanks for stopping by!

I Won! I Won! I Won!

I am a Top Mouse over at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge for my Christmas Lights cards.    Occasionally we step outside of our box and something great happens!  I just wanted to share and to thank all of you for your wonderful comments on this project.  And here they are again.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I Love This Smile

It's Friday!  And I finally finished these scrapbook pages.  I've been having difficulty scrapbooking lately.  I get the paper picked out, layer it just so, pick out and place my pictures and then get stuck.  Embellishments are not my friends these days.  So I struggled with these two two but came up with a few things that I like.  The papers are busy enough that truth be told, the pages don't need a ton of embellishment.  So I am satisfied with the result.   

Recipe:

Paper:  Canvas Corp. Paper, Authentique:  Gathering, Coordinations, Bazzil Basics, My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose,

Cricut Cartridges:  Flower Shoppe

Silhouette: Titles, journaling blocks

Spellbinders:  Foliage

Thanks for stopping by!