Dallas Circle Luncheon PART 2

There were so many great pictures of the Circle luncheon, I decided to post some more for everyone to enjoy.  Again, it was fun meeting all of you.  And Robin and Rina...enjoyed working with you on the event!

Mike loved his Cricut Sheriff badge I made him.

Was so glad the Janna B of PC Support could join us at lunch too !

Sandy looked so cute decked out in all her Texas gear

Jan was really super excited to win the coveted Pink Journey cartridge

Mike Wigton and me hamming it up 

Some of the special goodies that Circlets made to hand out.  So much talent !

The new collectible Circle State Flair Pins.

This is the Texas one that Mike handed out to everyone who attended

Cassandra made these adorable treat bags for everyone...where did she find the time to do all that?

Kelly Bienvenu made me this adorable canvas bag using the exclusive Cricut Everyday cartridge

Thanks Kelly! It came in handy collecting all those calling cards.

The bag I made for collecting calling cards for the door prize drawing.

Each shape is embossed using the Circle Heads embossing folder

Here is my name tag I wore at the luncheon

I received the new colorful Circle Scarf that I plan on hanging up in my craftroom

Rina and I at check in table

Mama C enjoying herself at the Meet Up

I will go back later and try and identify everyone in each photo.  I was so busy helping Mike at the luncheon, I didn't take most of the pictures myself with my camera but appreciated Alisa doing it for me. As you can see we were having lots of fun mingling and soaking up all the Circle fun !

I also have pictures of the class I took with Robyn of My Pink Stamper that I will post later today.

Dallas Circle Luncheon and Meet Up

WOW !  Did we have the most fun ever at the Dallas Circle Luncheon and Meet UP on Friday, March 19th in Frisco, TX.  We had 97 people be able to make it to the luncheon. Lots of mingling, greeting, exchanging circle calling cards, swapping ribbons, eating delicious food, talking to Mike Wigton about Provo Craft and last but not least door prizes !  Whew...it was  a packed 3 hours but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the time just flew by. 

Since a Picture is worth a thousand words...

La Hacienda Ranch restaurant

Blue Porch Room where we met

Circle Lunch Hosts: (LtoR) Debbie, Rina Salazar, Robin Marshall Clark, Mike Wigton

Circlets mingling and exchanging calling cards

All of the cards were unbelievably cute!

Calling cards I collected. If you don't see yours here, contact me to exchange via mail !

So many luscious ribbons were exchanged too !

Mike Wigton of Provo Craft talking about upcoming Provo Craft things and answering our questions

Then the door prizes were given out ! 

 Lots of great items: circle scarves, cuttlebug folders, lots of  cartridges, Plush Cricuts in 2 sizes plus more.

Many Circlets also made goodies to hand out as well. Here are a few I received...so fun !

Notice in the left corner is the Texas Circle Flair Pin Mike gave all of us. There will be one for each state.

Cassandra made these little gift bags with sweets in them for everyone at the luncheon. Too cute ~

And Kelly Bienvenu made this adorable canvas bag for me to collect calling cards in

 using our latest exclusive Cricut Everyday cartridge.  I love it !!!

I have lots more photos to post but I am exhausted after the weekend.  I will post more tomorrow.

And thank you to everyone who came to the lunch and made it so much fun and shared your talents with us.

  

It's a Cricut Circle Stampede !

Watch out Frisco, Texas...The Cricut Circle Stampede is heading your way ! Provo Craft is hosting a big event this weekend in Frisco (in Dallas area) this weekend.  And guess what?!?!?!  I am going with some of my Circle crafty friends to have a boot stompin' good time.  The theme for the whole weekend is a western theme which is so appropriate this time of year with the rodeos in town.

I have been busy creating some fun items for the event. Circle members attending these events make "Calling Cards" to trade with each other.  They are little 3X3 pieces of artwork that match the theme of the event or your Message Board Name. We use our Cricut machines and other PC products to make these fun trading cards.  I made a 100 of these little gems to trade this weekend.

Since it is a cowboy theme, I combined my "Texas Background" with my "Princess Personality" for my Calling Card.

Each Texas shape is three different layers of cardstock. The Howdy is metallic paper. The Circle Head and Crown are cut on glitter paper...so fun and sparklie and I couldn't resist adding a little gem to the crown to finish it off.  The background is Kraft cardstock I made and embossed with a cuttlebug star folder and then faux stitched to look like leather. I used Cricut Old West cartridge and Once Upon a Princess to do all the cuts with my Cricut. And yes, I made 100+ of these cards.  On the back is my contact information.

And of course, I had to have a place to display and hand out my cards to other Circlets so I made myself this card holder.

It is made out of cardstock and acrylic using two cartridges, Old West for the westernt themed items and the Circle Exclusive EveryDay Cricut cartridge for the circle head, bug head and box shapes. I also embossed with cuttlebug folders the barn pieces and inked and sanded them too. I had fun making up my Cowboy Cricut on the front...he is so adorable !

Part of the fun for the weekend is that I am helping host the Cricut Circle Pre-Stampede Meet Up and Luncheon along with Robin Marshall Clark and Rina Salazar at La Hacineda Mexican Restauarant in Frisco on Friday.  Our special Guest will be Michael Wigton, VP at Provo Craft who is incharge of the Cricut Circle among other things. 

I decided to help Michael get in the spirit of the weekend by making him a special cowboy name badge.

I had so much fun making this for him.  The Silver Star is embossed with the exclusive Cricut Circle embossing folders and the outside faux leather edge is also embossed with star cuttlebug folder. I made this using the Old West Cartridge including the letters.  I sure hope he likes it ! 

Well, I better start packing and getting ready to go.  Will be back on Sunday to post pictures of the weekend fun !  

Time for March Counterkeit Kit Challenge

It's time for the March Counterfeit Kit Challenge...YEAH !  This month's kit challenge is to replicate the March Kit of Studio Calico.

Here is Studio Calico Main Kit:

My Main Kit that I created with stuff from my own scrap stash:

I was inspired by the greens, orange, yellow and red and patterns in the Studio Calico kit.

And you know how I love my embellies so I pulled together these goodies to add more fun to my kit.

Stay tuned for some tutorials of things I made for my kit. 

Look What I Found Tonight

Most of you know I am a Cricut fanatic !  Well tonight I think I found a few of their new items they are releasing at the Texas Stampede event and later on their own website.

I was checking out Creativexpress.com, which is an online store owned by Provo Craft, and saw this...

New Pink Cricut Tool Kit includes:  Scoop Tool, Knife Tool, Hook Tool, Spatula Tool, Bone Folder, Scissors and Clear Ruler all in a Tool Cup to sit on your desk.  The MSRP was $14.99. It has similiar tools to the Cricut Tool Binder but in a cup for your desk top.

Green & White Polka Dotted Cartridge Binder:  Holds 12 cartridges, overlays and handbooks

MSRP $19.99   These are so dang cute...Hmmm, I would have to order these in bulk though to hold all my cartridges :)   sorry the pic is fuzzy, when I enlarged the thumbnail it did this.

The Binder also seems to come in Black too...but alas, no polka dots which would have been great too!

Creativexpress sites says COMING SOON for all of these items.  I can't wait to see the binders and how they might help organize my carts. 

Blog Candy Winner from Angela's 50th Birthday Hop

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments about Birthday Bag and Gift Card set.
So glad you joined us on the hop to help Angela celebrate her 50th Birthday in style !

Now on to the moment you have been waiting for....drum roll please!

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1

Max: 44

Result: 32

Powered by RANDOM.ORG

AND THE WINNER IS:

Anna said...

Great project!!! Just adorable. 

 I'm a follower.

 Thanks for the chance to win.

 February 27, 2011 1:49 AM

CONGRATULATIONS ANNA....I have sent you an email asking for mail addy so I can get a set of fun birthday stamps in the mail to you right away.  They will be perfect to use in making birthday card greetings.

February Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop

Welcome to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop !

We are so glad to have you hop along with all the participants and enjoy all the inspiration we have for you from the counterfeit kits we made this past month.

You should have arrived here from Denise's Blog . If you missed the beginning of the hop, please go back to Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog to start so you don't miss any of the projects.

This Blog Hop is specifically to showcase the Scraps of Darkness Sketch Challenge using our Counterfeit Challenge Kit we put together based on Scraps of Darkenss February Kit.

Here is my Sketch Challenge Layout

My February Kit was focused on Pink, Red, Gray, Cream and Black colors and

was inspired by Echo Parks new Be Mine paper line.

I cut out part of the Be Mine journal sheet for the heart just like in the Sketch Challenge since I happened to have the same pieces. I added various color of beautiful sparkly Prima flowers and a jeweled Jenni Bowlin Stick pen to finish off the cluster of embellishments on the bottom left of layout.  At the top left of the layout is a mirrored Bird from Heidi Swapp and Making Memories glittered chipboard swirls.

In the top right of my layout, I added the Faux Teresa Collins Blingage that I made for my kit.

And again,  cut out some of the Echo Park journal cards and layered together

 for this cluster of embellishments.

In the bottom right of my layout you will see a piece of Echo Park journaling strip that I stamped in red,

 then used one of the Faux Frames that I made for my kit.  Then I layered a small strip of Maya Roads gorgeous pink rose trim to complete the look.  I couldn't resist cutting from the bottom of the

Echo Park Be Mine paper strip the paper line emblem that normally would have been tossed

except it matched my layout theme too much to toss!   

 

I'd love it if you left a comment so I know you stopped by. Now head on over to Missues Wookie's Blog for more inspiration !

Welcome to Angela's 50th Birthday Blog Hop

A friend and fellow Cricut crafter, Angela, is celebrating her 50th Birthday this weekend.  She asked some of us to join her "My Fabulous 50 Blog Hop" by creating a Birthday themed project to help make her big day even more special.  Stop by the blogs listed below and see the fun Birthday themed projects everyone created.  There is even some Blog Candy along the way, including here. 

If you jumped into the middle of the blog hop, be sure and go back to the start at Angela's blog http://angiespaperpassion.blogspot.com/ so you don't miss any birthday project inspirations. 

Happy Blog Hopping !!!

Angela - http://angiespaperpassion.blogspot.com/   start of blog hop
Dawn - http://scrappyrn-scrappyrn.blogspot.com/
Janice - http://www.cricutconfessions.com/
Normea - http://mmdezigns.blogspot.com/
Nancy - http://lanancyworkshop.blogspot.com/
Michelle - http://paperaffair.blogspot.com/
Barb - http://craftinginparadise.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://www.debseclecticthoughts.blogspot.com/  YOU ARE HERE
Marcia - http://scrappin-times.blogspot.com/
Veronica - http://www.iteachscraps.blogspot.com/
TinaGale - TinaGale - http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com/
Monique - http://mixonthememories.blogspot.com/  end of blog hop

There is one thing I am always needing when a birthday rolls around and that is a gift bag for the honoree.  I decided to make an extra special Birthday Gift Bag and Tag since it is Angela's 50th Birthday. 

All the designs for this project were created using the Cricut Birthday Bash cartridge.  The big birthday cake on the bag was cut at 7 inches, the yellow cake base cardstock was embossed with the Cuttlebug, and I added some yummy frosting using Martha Stewart chunky white glitter. I even used foam dots to pop-up the birthday word.

I made a matching mini birthday card as a tag using the cake card shape on the Birthday Bash cartridge cut at 5 inches.  I added some "paper sprinkles" to the icing and highlighted them with stickles. 

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY DEAR ANGELA !  Hope you enjoy all the birthday projects posted in your honor.

LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A CUTE MINI BIRTHDAY STAMP PERFECT FOR YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY GREETING.  Then hop on over to the next stop on the Blog Hop to see what Marcia has created at http://scrappin-times.blogspot.com/ .

BTW - I am participating in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop on Monday, February 28th so be sure and stop back in to check out all the cool projects we are making for that Blog Hop too!

We HEART Our BIG Dawg!

I have a granddog...yes, you read that right. I gladly claim this adorable big 200 lb Mastiff named Winston as my granddog.  My daughter Crystal is his doggy momma.  He really is a gentle giant and loves to be petted and give kisses back.  He even looks hurt when you tell him he is not allowed to sit in your lap. I truly believe he only thinks he is as big as his head so he doesn't understand when you don't enjoy him laying on you :)

We took these pictures last year when he was visiting.  He is such a happy dog that I just had to show him off in a layout.

 I used my Cricut to cut out the title, the hearts, circles and paw prints.  The scallop trim was made with a Fiskars punch.  I am going to enter this in the Cricut Circle Blog Weekly contest that is about pet projects with your Cricut.

Add On Kit Yumminess !

Hi All - Sorry for the delay in posting my Add On Kit for the February Counterfeit Kit Challenege. It's been a rough week at our house.  To make a long story short...dad in hospital with collapsed lung (he's okay now, thank goodness), my car had to go to the auto repair shop unexpectedly (it's back finally) and then our refrigerator decided to up and die too (shopped for 2 days, got new one delivered today so back in business).  To say the least, with everything going on, I just plum forgot to do the Add On Kit Post.

So without further delay....
The Scraps Of Darkness Add On Kit

While their Add On Kit was lovely....it just didn't seem to have enough goodies in it for me !  LOL  So,
as I dug through my stash I just kept finding more and more perfect goodies for my Add On Kit.

 As you can see, I added a few more yummy Valentines themed items to my kit...more bling,Jenni Bowlin  buttons and chipboard pieces, vintage style Valentine Stickers, a few more luscious sets of Prima Flowers, adorable Maya Road Wood Bingo pieces plus some fabulous Maya Road flower trims in creme, pink and red and some lace.  For my paints in my kit I added the Tattered Angels Bubble Gum Glimmer Mist and Luminaire Magenta paint. 

Now in the original Add On Kit, there were some Teresa Collins Blingage Frames in silver...unfortunately I didn't have any of those yet :(   So I had to find a way to make some of my own frames to use.
Here is how I got sort of the same affect....

First, I unearthed some Tim Holtz Grungeboard element shapes that had frames on them and selected a few to use.

I then layered them on a paper towel and misted them with water slightly just to soften them up a little.

Then I placed the grungeboard pieces in a Tim Holtz Damask embossing folder and embossed with my Cuttlebug. The slight misting of them helps make the embossing show up in it better.  Tip I learned from Tim!

Once again I used some of my Ranger Dabber paint in Silver and covered both the front and back sides of the now embossed grungeboard.  And now I have some decorative frames to use in my February Counterfeit Challenge Kit.  I will probably use some rhinestone brads when I attach to my project.

Stay tuned for a few projects I am making with my February Counterfeit Kit Challenge.

February Challenge Time !

I am so thrilled to be participating in the Counterfeit Kit Challenge for February.  The ladies over at Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog have picked out an inspiring kit from Scraps Of Darkness Kit Club for us to "lift" for February challenge.

Here is Scraps of Darkness Kit Main Kit

And here is my Main Kit pulled together from my stash

As you can see, I went with a less dark look...I like a brighter happier look in my scrappy projects generally. I used pale pink, red, white, black and grey in my kit.

Many of the papers are from Echo Park's Be Mine Collection and papers from both Jenni Bowlin and Teresa Collins.  

Now I came pretty close to having many similar items to the main kit with the exception of Teresa Collins Blingage.  Not because I don't want them...I just haven't been able to get my hands on them yet :)  And also some mirrored pieces that were in the inspiration kit.

As part of the challenge, we are encouraged to re-purpose, re-create or just plain make up a similar embellishment from our existing stash without buying the exact same item.  I love a good challenge and really wanted some Blingage so here is how I created my own.

I started out by finding a Fleur de Les chipboard piece in the a pack of 7Gypsies CB.  This pack has so many great shapes in it but the image I needed was the perfect size for the project.  I then covered the front and the back of the chipboard with Ranger's Black Paint Dabber.  So easy to do.

Then I punched a tiny hole in bottom of the chipoard, attached a black jewel with a jump ring.

Then to give it that final touch of Blingage...I added Black Distress Stickles on top of the chipboard.

And waaaalaaaaah........My very own "Faux" Teresa Collins Blingage !

I then needed to add some mirrored pieces to my kit but didn't have any in my stash. So I again made some "faux" embellies.

I had these Tim Holtz glass fragment pieces so I decided to see if those could be changed to look like mirrors.

I then covered the backs of glass fragments with a Ranger Silver Paint Dauber. I did two coats and dried with my heat gun. Then I covered the silver paint with a lite coating of Glossy Accents just to make sure the paint didn't flake off.

And the results....really cute, inexpensive mirror pieces that I made myself !   I am showing them here next to an actual Heidi Swapp mirrored bird that I am adding to my kit too so you can see how great they look.

Check back tomorrow to see the Add On Kit I pulled together to go with the main kit and the fun  embellishments I made out of items in my stash.   This is so stinkin' fun making up these Counterfeit Kits !!