My Craft Spot *BLOG HOP* -Fall Notebooks

Woo Hoo... today is the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Blog Hop. I know I've had a wonderful time sharing projects from all 5 new stamp sets and dies; Stampin' Around Fall with the coordinating Tiny Doily Metal Dies, Spooky Treats, Best Witches to You, Ghostly Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving. All stamp sets and metal dies are available for purchase today at My Craft Spot.

Today the inspiration continues with more ideas from Kimberly and the design team using the new stamp sets and each design team member will have a stamp set to give away as well... so exciting huh!!!  If you've just hopped here from my talented friend Gigi's blog -The Cricut Bug then you are in just the right place for the blog hop, if you would like to start at the beginning of the hop start  then please go to My Craft Spot -HERE.

Blog hop order:

Kimberly

Gigi

Robin (you are here)

Kate

Amber

Heather

Gwen

Ally

Marlene

I took my daughter back to college this week so I made these fun Fall notebooks for my daughter and each of her roommates, this is the "Fall" semester for them. The notebooks can be used for grocery list, notes to friends or perhaps a little gratitude/thankful list.

I used two of Kimberly's new stamp sets, the Stampin' Around Fall and the Happy Thanksgiving, as well as the new Tiny Doily Metal Dies. All these stamp sets and dies are available for purchase today at My Craft Spot woo-hoo!

The three crinkle ribbon colors that I used are Pumpkin Spice, Carmel and Acorn available at My Craft Shop. I taped them down to my patterned paper then used my sewing machine to sew a zig-zag stitch over each ribbon.

The leaves were cut using Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge pg. 35, I crinkled them up a bit then sponged them using Tim Holtz Antique Photo ink.
I added a button tied with Vintage Chocolate bakers twine on top of the bow, available at My Craft Spot. 

Below are two of the stamped sayings from the Happy Thanksgiving stamp set.

I bought a pack 8 /12" x 11" notepads from an office store and took it to my local copy store and had them cut the pads in the three long equal sizes, it was very inexpensive.
Inside view of the notebooks.

I'm so excited to give the stamp set that I designed away, Stampin' Around Fall to one fantabulous winner, for your chance to win...

1)  please become a follower of my blog (if you are not already)

2)  please leave a comment here on my blog and let me know which of the 5 new stamp sets are your favorite and why.

Stampin' Around Fall, Spooky Treats, Best Witches To You, Ghostly Greetings or Happy Thanksgiving

Your next stop along the hop is my wonderful friend Kate -Small Bits of Paper. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a fabulous time hopping blog friends!

Day 5 Stamp Release Party! -So Blessed

Hello all my friends, I hope you have followed along this week for the fabulous Stamp Release Party for My Craft Spot, I know the design team and I have really enjoyed sharing so many inspiring projects with you, and today day 5, the inspiration continues.

We are showing a sneak peek with you of the new Happy Thanksgiving stamp set a beautiful stamp set that is wonderful for your Fall and Thanksgiving cards and projects.

Today I've created a lovely Fall card with loads of leaves and acorns.

I used a spellbinder die image to stamp the saying on, it's a beautiful saying and could be used all year round. 

 The acorns were cut using the Create A Critter cricut cartridge pg. 32 cut in various sizes, I used my Cuttlebug Machine and the embossing folder Swiss Dots to emboss the top of the acorns, then inked the edges using Tim Holtz Vintage Photo ink pad.

Leaves were cut using Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge pg. 35, I crinkled up the leaves a bit then inked them using the same ink pad.

The swirls are a metal die from My Favorite Things, Die-namics Fancy Flourish.

The brown border is a border punch from Recollections, which I used my sewing machine to sew over with a zig-zag stitch.
Side view of card. 

 The crinkle ribbon is from My Craft Spot, pumpkin spice is the color.

 Inside of card.

Thanks for joining me for day 5 of my sneak peek, please join us tomorrow for the My Craft Spot blog hop where the design team will once again inspire you with a project using one of the 5 stamp sets, as well as each design team members (including myself) will be giving away one of the 5 stamp sets generously provided by Kimberly.
Also all 5 of the stamp sets including the fun Tiny Doily Metal Die will be available for purchase tomorrow at My Craft Spot.

One last thing, remember to head over to My Craft Spot today to see the many other amazing projects made by Kimberly and her design team using the brand new Happy Thanksgiving stamp set, and leave a comment on Kimberly's blog (My Craft Spot) today for your chance to win the Thanksgiving Crinkle Ribbon, this ribbon is perfect for your Fall projects. click -HERE for My Craft Spot. 

Thinking of You Island of Palm Trees Card

Hello everyone,

Today I got to post a design team feature post over at My Craft Spot, this is my "Thinking of you" Island of palm trees card.

I used Kimberly's Inside & Out -Set #2 stamp set for the sentiments on the outside and the inside of the card. This is a great versatile stamp set for many occasions and if you like to add words to the inside of the card as well as the outside it's perfect! You can find the stamp set -HERE

Below is a video of how I made this card...

I used the cricut cartridge Life Is a Beach for the images, the cloud image is from the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge. I added inking to all the edges with the Tim Holtz Vintage Photo or Tea Dye ink pads, and for the clouds I used Jenny Bowlin Soap Powder ink.

I adding a hint of stitching using my sewing machine on the "thinking of you" tab and the waves.


Remember to mark your calendars for the "Stamp Release Party" at My Craft Spot

July 9th -14 ... prized every day!

Have a great day, and thank you for stopping by :)

Dad, you're the best! Fisherman card -My Craft Spot project

Hello, for today's Fantabulous Cricut challenge please click -HERE.

Welcome to a wonderful new challenge hosted by My Craft Spot 

this weeks My Craft Spot challenge

King of the Grill

Make any card to honor dad!

When I was a little girl we would go camping and fishing every Summer, while my dad fished I usually played on the rocks or played in the water, I wasn't much of a fisher girl.  I'm still not but my husband and daughter really enjoy it.

My Fly Fisherman shape card was so much fun to make!  Guess what cartridge I used.... Everyday Paper Dolls pg. 70 of the handbook, can you believe that? I still love this Cricut cartridge! There are tons of images for nearly every occasion, and you don't ever need to use the paper doll as in my card below.

By layering several layers and cutting different colors of cardstock for one image you get an amazing 3-d look.  For example, for the fishing pole I used three different colors, brown for the pole, tan for the handle and silver for the reel. Below is a sneak peek of how I cut my images with out using tons of cardstock.  Please note: I do use my gypsy, I almost never make a card with out my gypsy, so if you don't have one I want you to know I personally love mine!  

Below: on the brown I cut two fishing poles (sorry for the image, it's difficult to see but there are 2) for the tan and silver pieces I only wanted the handle, so I rotated my image around and pulled the image almost off the mat leaving only the handle (I could have dragged the fishing pole image to the right of the mat, not sure why I rotated and pulled to the left).  I hope this gives you an idea of how I make my detailed, layered, shape cards. I've thought about making a video, if you are interested leave a comment so I know there is an interest ;)

I had so much fun bringing this card to life, this card fits in a long size envelope 9 1/4" x 4 1/8"

All card stock is from Stampin' Up, except for the fish I used glitter card stock purchased individually at JoAnn's.  Every thing was inked using Distress Ink, Vintage Photo, and used lots of mounting tape for all the layering.

Close up of the fisherman's vest.  I made 3-d pockets using rectangle and square punches, and 1/2 of a circle punch was used for to top pockets, used my corner chomper to round the corners. I poked holed to give a "faux stitching" look, added buttons and used my mounting tape to raise them off the vest.

I love this tag hanging from my "hand tied fly" on the vest that reads "Dad, you're the best!" this stamp is from the Tiny Tags stamp set from My Craft Spot.

close up side views

I hope you can get a good look at my hand tied flies, they were a hoot to make. I used jewelry pin heads to make the hooks, just bending then twisting at the top to make a loop to thread the different colors of Bakers Twine (which I unwound and made quite shaggy looking) for each fly.

I also used the Kraft Bakers Twine for the fishing pole line. The baker twine is from My Craft Spot.

another side view

closer view of the fisherman's basket

I had some sticky mesh that I've had in my stash for years and found a great use for it on my basket lid. I put 3 fish in the basket....do you love the fishes eyes... they are black brads, my daughter squealed "oh the look so real".... she does not like fish at all, it was so funny... she's 19.

Seriously, paper piecing images from Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge it totally fun, I had a blast making this card for a special dad.

I hope you enjoyed my card and were inspired in some way today, and if you haven't seen the rest of the My Craft Spot design team projects for the "King of the Grill" challenge, head over to My Craft Spot and see what they've made -HERE. you'll love their creations!
Thank you for stoping by!

For Dad Golf Cart -Fantabulous Cricut Challenge project

Hello, for today's My Craft Spot Challenge please click -HERE.

It's another Fantabulous Monday which brings another challenge from Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, this week we are celebrating our wonderful fathers.

 Challenge #115 -Fathers Day

Make a project using an outdoor theme, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking etc.

For my outdoor theme I choose golf, because my honey is getting a new set of clubs this year... shhhhh.
I have another amazing shape card to share! Do you have Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge and have not played with it for a while?  Well then, it's time to blow the dust of that one and use it!  Yep I used Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge the images are from pg. 54 of the handbook. I used the golf cart, bag with clubs, flag, tee, and the ball image.

By layering several layers and cutting different colors of cardstock for one image you get an amazing 3-d look.  For example, for the golf bag with clubs I used two different colors, red for the bag and silver for the clubs (I also cut the flag pole with the silver at the same time). 

Below: I've cut the red bag three times, for the silver I only needed the clubs cut, so on my gypsy I pulled the image down toward the bottom right of the mat leaving only the clubs and just the top of the bag showing.  

I hope this gives you an idea of how I make my detailed, layered, shape cards.

 I've thought about making a video, if you are interested leave a comment so I know there is an interest ;)

This card will fit an A2 size envelop, my card measures approximately 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

I love the "for Dad" tag wrapped around the golf cart, it's from the stamp set Tiny Tags, the Bakers Twine name is Vintage Cherry both can be purchased from My Craft Spot.  I love the Tiny Tags Stamp Set.

All the cardstock is from Stampin Up, except for the "designer seat cover" and "steering wheel cover" (patterned paper I had is my stash), the grass cut using the Martha Stewart grass border punch with Coordinations cardstock.

All images were inked up using Tim Holtz Distress Ink -Tea Dye except the tag and blue background.

Here is a side view of the golf bag, 

Close up view of bag, tee and golf ball. I poked holes to give the bag a "faux stitching" look added a stitched 3-d pocket.

Close up of the golf cart, my husband's nickname is "Slick" so I cut the word using the Birthday Bash cartridge, the used the cut out image as a stencil and sponged the word onto the cart, looks cool! 

Lifting the golf cart front

I used my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss the blue cardstock to look like the sky.

I decided to make this a tri-fold card so there would be a larger area for my girls to write a message to dad. It's longer then 12"x 12" that is why the blue cardstock is hanging over the edge.

That's my Father's Day card, I hope you were inspired in some way.

Remember to  head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the other great projects that the design team has created, and we would love you to join us for This Weeks Challenge -"Father's Day"  -HERE.

Remember if you're interested in seeing a video of how I make my shape cards let me know by leaving a comment ;)

So glad you took the time to visit today, thank you!

"CONGRATS" -Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Project

For todays "My Craft Spot" challenge project click -HERE.

Hello friends, welcome to another wonderful Monday!  Each Monday begins with a new challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, and this weeks challenge...

"You Did It"

Make a Graduation card or project

remember to include a cricut cut image somewhere on your project

I've been thinking about this shape card in my head for a few days now and I was able to quickly design it using my Gypsy and then put it together.  I rarely use my cricut machine without my gypsy... really almost never, I love my gypsy!  The letters "CONGRATS" are from the Birthday Bash cartridge, and were welded together. The graduation hat is from Everyday Paper Dolls.

I designed this card to fit in a legal size envelope (the long -approx. 9 1/2" x 4" size) using several layers.

I like to use the colored fun foam or craft foam as some call it to create a "pop-up" effect when working with black cardstock, instead of using my usual white mounting tape so it's not as noticeable.  I used black and orange fun foam for this project. I purchased the multi color package so I have several colors on hand.  

I cut the fun foam into strips and then smaller pieces, the size that I need, I use tacky glue to adhere it to the cardstock.

The tassel was made using grosgrain ribbon from Stampin' Up.  You can see a video -HERE showing how to make this type of tassel, as well as another fun graduation card. I made the graduation card in the video for this weeks My Craft Spot challenge, my card can be found -HERE.

The black cardstock is the "shadow" font feature from the Birthday Bash cartridge, the orange and white are the layered font. 

I added stitching using an extra fine sharpie pen on the orange "CONGRATS" image. 

Inside of card

You'll want to head over to Fantabulous Cricut to see the other great projects that the design team has created, and we would love you to join us for This Weeks Challenge -"You Did It"  -HERE
Thanks for visiting today!

Harvest Blessings Fantabulous Cricut Blog Hop

Hi everyone, welcome to Robin's Creative Cottage! Today is such an exciting day and I'm so glad you're here for the Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl... Fantabulous Cricut's version of a blog hop! Woo Hoo!!

Leaves are changing colors, there's a chill in the air.... yep... it's "Fall" and everyone at Fantabulous Cricut is giving thanks for our "Harvest Blessings"! FCCB design team is creating Fall projects that includes Brown, Orange and Red – and as always with Fantabulous Cricut challenges we use at least one Cricut machine cut image.

If you've come from visiting my wonderful new friend Peggy at Daily Grace Creations, you're in the right place! Woo Hoo! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, please start HERE.

Remember to check out each DT member's blog for some awesome inspiration! There will be PRIZES along the way at some of our DT members' blogs, AND there will be a Grand Prize up for grabs at FCCB for one participant that submits a "Harvest Blessings" project at FCCB!

I love how my "Harvest Blessings" project turned out. This is how my inspiration started... I knew I wanted to use acorns, and leaves just go with acorns... then the idea of my family being a blessing came to mind... I remembered that the Lacy Labels cricut cartride had an image with the word "family"... and that's how my thought process began and I got creating!

Here are the details:
This card is long and can fit in a legal #10 envelope (4 1/8"x 9 1/2")
Lacy Labels cricut cartridge was used for the base of the card along with the family oval image. Using my gypsy (and keeping all the "lacy label" layers grouped) I stretched the images to measure 9.25" x 3.82
I welded two of the base images for a shape card, then cut the same image to layer on top using brown craft foam for a raised or 3-d look. The base is brown Bazzill cardstock.
Pattern paper is an old Stampin' Up designer paper pack.
Everyday Paper Dolls cricut cartridge was used for the oak leaf, cut at 3 sizes (real dial size) 1.5", 1.25", 1"
Create A Critter is where I found the acorn image, cut two sizes (real dial size) 1", .75".
All images were inked using Tim Holtz vintage photo ink, the leaves were crinkled after inking.
I used small pieces of brown craft foam to pop up the acorns, a few of the larger acorns I used a double layer of the craft foam for extra "lift".

close up view

I'm offering a prize to you...
One of my Brand New Robin's Creative Cottage clear stamp sets.
(in fact they are so brand new they have not been completely revealed yet... my stamp release celebration is beginning today... here on my blog). For more details look -HERE.
You will have your choice of "Snowman's Prayer" or "Gingerbread Holiday" stamp set.

To be elegible for this prize...
1. Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already).
2. Leave a nice comment -about what you love about the Fall season.
3. (optional -but I would love you to) "Like me on my Facebook page -at the top of my blog on the left hand sidebar is my "like" facebook link.

Next stop… my friend Sabrina (she's wonderful) find her at Scrappin' with Sabrina she always has inspiring projects.

Remember when you're done with the crawl (blog hop), make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered in their contest, include the colors brown, orange and red along with at least one cricut cut image.

Have so much fun Cricut Crawling and being inspired along the way!

I'm adding my project to the following challenges:
Crafty Sprouts "Anything Goes" challenge
My Sheri Crafts "Be Thankful" challenge
Cards TV "We're so Thankful" challenge

Eek! Frogs in the Cauldron -Craft Foam

Last week for the Thursday Tutorial on Fantabulous Cricut , I posted a video by Cathie Rigby. She showed how to cut craft foam (sometimes called fun foam) using your cricut machine. I loved this idea and was looking forward to trying it -I previously tried cutting the craft foam with the adhesive sticky backing, but I couldn't get it to work (believe me I tried many times), so when I purchased this craft foam from Wal-mart I couldn't wait to try it ... again.

I followed the instructions exactly as Cathie described in her video and it worked great!!!!

I did try using small cuts like the frogs and the letters, and discovered that cutting larger shapes like the cauldron do cut much nicer. But as you can see on my card, small cuts can work, they just don't cut as cleanly. Check out the video, I posted it -HERE on FCCB

EEK... Frogs jumping out of the Cauldron

The frogs and cauldron were cut from the Everyday Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge, seriously there are a ton of great shapes on that cartridge, Love it! The letters "EEK!" are from the Alphalicious Cricut cartridge.

I punched the green boiling brew using different shaped punches, then used Stickles on all those bubbles. I hand drew the frogs faces using a fine tip sharpie pen, I think those frogs are a little nervous... well wouldn't you be?

The paper edges were distressed using a paper distressing tool, and the "Happy Halloween" is a clear stamp from "My Craft Spot" the stamp set is called "Happy Haunting".
I added this card to My Craft Spot -ribbon challenge this week.
Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Melon Boy for my FCCB Challenge #70

Hi everyone,

I'm so excited to be back playing with Fantabulous Circut's design team with weekly challenges, and daily inspiration.

This weeks challenge is "Melon Time"
Make a project using any fruit or melon.

I went with a watermelon as my fruit... just couldn't resist, don't you just love eating a ripe juicy watermelon? I have a friend who does not like watermelon, she loves the look but just not the taste, so every year she gives watermelon another taste just in case her taste buds have changed for the delicious red juicy fruit. I do hope one day she learns to like it like I do.... mmmmmmmm.

OK, now to my project "Melon Boy," he too can't resist the taste of watermelon, and I'm sure he will see how far he can spit the seeds when gets them in his mouth.

I used three cartridges for this project and my gypsy, Doodlecharms for the watermelon cut at 5.83" wide x 4.62" high, the small watermelon is cut at 1.68" wide x 1.33" high then I cut this in half for the boy to hold.
The boy/farmer is cut at 3.58" wide x 5" high, his clothes can be found on page 68 of the handbook. I cut the shirt out twice so I could fold the boy's arm over and have the sleeve showing on the other side, and folded his thumb up so it looks like he is holding the watermelon.
I used my gypsy to weld the watermelon and a rectangle from George and Basic Shapes cartridge, just for a unique style of card.

I used Tim Holtz distress ink (vintage photo) on all the pieces before assembling, it sure makes the boy look like he has been playing in the dirt all day long. For the face I used the Basic Paper Doll Face stamp set from Peechy Keen Stamps. Then two little brads were place on his overalls for a super cute finishing touch... what a sweet boy... who loves watermelon.

Now you've got to see the yummy and amazing projects that the FCCB design team has made, head over to Fantabulous Cricut -HERE and join us in this weeks "Melon Time" challenge.