Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #50: Tree Time

Hi, everybody!  It's Monday, so it's time for Challenge Me Monday over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  The challenge this week is called Tree Time.  You can use any kind of tree on your project...a pine tree, a palm tree, or even a branch will do.  I had so much fun creating this card!  There are so many great tree cuts out there, and I got the chance to make my very first easel card!  Here it is:

Awww!  Doesn't that little panda look so lonely?  Look...he set a place for someone, but they're not there.  :o(  So sad.  Being a military wife, I know how this little guy feels.  We are always away from someone, whether it be family, friends, or my husband.  Missing someone is just no fun!

This easel card measures 5.75" square.  I used the Pagoda cartridge for all of the cuts except the bushes and grass, which came from Everyday Paper Dolls, and the circle, which came from Birthday Bash.  I used my Cuttlebug, the Plum Blossom and Forest Branches embossing folders, and some ink to add a little texture, and I love how it turned out.  I tried to cut out some chopsticks, but they were just too tiny, so I used some tootpicks instead.  Ha!  I think they add just the right touch.  The sentiment was computer generated, and I added some red fibers to jazz up the base a bit.

I hope you'll head on over to FCCB to see what the other Design Team members created and enter the challenge yourself.  I can't wait to see what you create! 

Thanks for stopping today.  If you like what you see, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and become a follower.  Have a great day!

OWH Bunny Hop

Hi!  Welcome to Operation Write Home's Bunny Hop!  Hopefully you've come here from April at Scrapping the Magic.  If not, and you'd like to start from the beginning, check out Operation Write Home's Stars and Stamps Blog. 

I'm so excited to be participating in this hop, and I hope you'll enjoy my little springy project. Make sure you scroll all the way down for your chance to win some springy blog candy!   Here's my card:

I had so much fun making this card, which can double as an Easter decoration.  When folded up, this card measures 5.5" square, so it will fit in a 6" square envelope.  I used several Cricut carts in this project: bunny and butterfly--Create a Critter, tree--Simply Charmed, basket and eggs--Doodlecharms, bushes and grass--Everyday Paper Dolls.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the tree, eggs, and basket, and I added lots of chalk, ink, and doodling to make everything pop!  I used shapes from Birthday Bash to create the card base (I got the idea from Lettering Delights' Sweet Nothings SVG set--but the card there is rectangular, and I wanted a square card).    Here's how I made the base, in case you're interested:

I created a file on my Gypsy using the Birthday Bash circle and square shape.  I had to design it on a 12 x 24" mat because the Gypsy kept moving my shapes over on the 12 x 12" mat so it wouldn't cut out correctly.  Strange and frustrating problem, but switching to the larger mat fixed it.  :o) 

Next, I folded the two square shapes in half and the rectangular shape 2.75" from each end.

I glued the pieces together to form the basic card base, making sure I lined up the circles just right.

Next, I made another Gypsy file for the patterned paper I wanted to line the card with.  I made it so there would be a white border around each paper piece.

I cut the square piece in half.

Then I glued all of the pieces in place.

And finally my base was all ready to be filled with springy goodness!  I'd love to share this file with you.  If you'd like both files...the card base and the paper linings, just let me know in your comment and make sure to include your e-mail address.  You can feel free to use it for your own projects, just please link back to me if you post the card you make in your blog.  :o)

Okay...now how about some Bunny Hop Candy???  I'm giving away a Bloom Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder and three Bazzill border strips in bright, springy colors.  If you'd like a chance to win these goodies, here's what you need to do:

1.  Become a follower and leave a comment letting me know. Or, let me know you're already a follower.  You must be a  follower to win.  Please don't forget to include your e-mail address.

2.  For an extra entry, post this giveaway on your blog and leave another comment with a link back to the post.  Also, don't forget your e-mail address.

3.  For another extra entry, LIKE my Facebook page and leave another comment telling me you did so.  Don't forget to leave your e-mail address in your comment.

That's it.  Please...only US mailing addresses.  I'll randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, March 9.  Oh, and don't forget to mention in your comment if you'd like me to send you the Gypsy files.  

Okay...on with the hop.  Your next Bunny Hop stop is Cindy at Cindy's Card Co.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Remember that the deadline for sending in OWH cards for Easter is March 18, and the Mother's Day deadline is March 31.  Enjoy the rest of the hop, and have a very HOPPY weekend!