So Busy!

this is just a quick note to say I haven't dropped off the face of the earth...I have just been very busy making handcrafted Christmas cards so I haven't had time to post anything lately. The Christmas cards fare or sale and I will post pictures of all the cards in the next several hours. They are available as singles and in one mixed dozen packages. If you wish to purchase any cards please leave me an email through the blog with your email address and I will contact you with further details. For now I am off to make more cards....

Happy Halloween!

I was kept very busy this Halloween season. My sister informed me a couple weeks ago that I am now in charge of all costumes for my nephew for the 'rest of time' - a challenge I gladly accepted. Lukas, my nephew, has two very favourite things - Curious George & tractors. Since making him a tractor could have been very complicated & difficult for a two & half year old to wear Curious George was the winner. I bought two $4 t-shirts, cut one up to create the tail & the face on the hat, a $10 pair of sweat pants, a $3 ballcap, $3 beige earmuffs, $2 for a 2/3 yard of reflective ribbon (for hat) and a yard & a half of yellow broadcloth for $3. The rest of the supplies I already had at home. The big yellow hat has a long strap so he could wear it over his shoulder and act as a treat bag. Tools: sewing machine (embroidered the face), glitter, a styrofoam ball cut in half (eyes), scrap foam sculpted to create tail (not in picture). To make the most of the money I spent my theory was to use a t-shirt & sweatpants that could be worn again. Therefore the costume really only cost $15.

Picture: Grandma and Lukas are busy discovering a new toy.

I also created this glitter carousel pumpkin. I was inspired by a segment on Martha last week and this is my version. It took a lot longer to create that I didn't finish it until November 4th! Oh well, it is ready for next year. I can remove the top & bottom from the witches for easy storage.

I have to admit this was the first time I have spent any time making a costume of decorations for Halloween in a very long time and I enjoyed it emencly. However, it took a week for my back to recover from all the sitting.

Just in time for Halloween

I wanted to see what I could do with the 12" x 24" cutting mat & paper so I decided to create a 3D pumpkin in Design Studio. I did two mock ups before I refined the design and this is the result. This is my second DS project and I am even more excited about the possibilities of my Cricut. When finished the body of the pumpkin measures 7" ht, 7" d.

File available for 45 days only
DS FILE CLICK HERE

A few tips if you want to try to make this pumpkin.
1. Heavy weight cardstock works best
* I had the best results using the Cricut 12" x 24" brand paper
2. Use a repositionable tape/glue to put together.
* I use ATG tape
3. Make a small rectangle of cardstock from your scraps (approx.

1" x 2 1/4") to attach the ends together. Overlap slightly so it

matches the design of each section.
4. Use a bone folder to score the cardstock (on the 'good' side)

where the sections connect and carefully fold. DO NOT use bone

folder to fold since it will leave a shiny mark on the paper. It seems to look better without a severe fold.

5. Attach the final two sections together first, then attach that piece

to the rest of the pumpkin (see photo)
6. Place a circle on the inside and outside of the top and bottom to cover the connections.
7. Irregularily score & fold the stem piece & lightly score half length between folds. Once you are

happy with the shape of your stem I found using hot glue was the best way to make sure it held

together as you manipulated the stem. Trim as needed. The base

of the stem is made by cutting flaps and folding them in on each

other. This way you can determine the length of the stem.

NOTE: I included a cut out circle support in case you wish to have the top of the pumkin open.

Okay! I think that is all....many of these suggestions may be obvious. No disrepect intended, I just want to be helpful.

Enjoy!

Up all night

I was up ALL NIGHT last night trying to figure out what was wrong with the new DS cut file and not even imagining that that the problem would be anything but of my own doing. I went to bed very tired and frustrated.

I I started having the same problem tonight with a new DS file when it donned on me that it was the Christmas Cheer cartridge that was not cutting at all. After selecting images directly from my Expression keypad I discovered that the software on the cartridge is not the Christmas Cheer software! The images all seem to be Christmas images, but they are all very different from the Christmas Cheer cartridge. The box says Christmas Cheer, the keypad overlay & instruction book say Christmas Cheer and the sticker on the cartridge says Christmas Cheer! Go figure!

I sure hope that I will be able to get the correct software in the next few days. This is not the time of year to have to wait for three weeks for snail mail. I contacted the company where I purchased the cartridge by email tonight and hopefully I will talk to someone in the morning to figure out what to do about this problem.

To use the cartridge now is basically cutting blind. Design Studio does not recognize the software and without the keypad overlay I have no idea what I am selecting for cutting.

At least I know that I did not cause the problem! I was so upset last night ...because I thought I had done something wrong.

Tanya

Potty Training Sticker Chart

I had a request to make potty charts for my nephew. One for his home and one for Grandma's. I found the reproducable image of Curious George image at http://www.curiousgeorge.com/ and handcarved it into a stamp using Speedy Carve. I used the Speedball inks to paint it in too.

I am waiting to add a tractor along the bottom of the red chart. (I haven't received the cartridge in the mail yet.) I am hoping the add Elmo once the Sesame Street cartridges are available.

The chart also has the words "Slippery when wet!" at the bottom corner.

At the bottom of each chart is 'folder' to hold the stickers to be used for each ACHIEVEMENT.

I used my Cricut ink to make the chart. I used cartridges Plantin' Schoolbook, Doodlecharms and Going Places.

File available for 45 days only

Link to DS file: http://www.mediafire.com/?zzuckyojh2e

My First DS project

I finished my first DS project last night and it turned out pretty well...if I do say so myself. A short post because I am off to spend time with the family....and play with my nephew.

File available for 45 days only

DS File: http://www.mediafire.com/?wwtknddeuti