You Octopi My Heart!

I could not resist this stamp set by Lawn Fawn, but the accompanying octopus is sooo teeny and does not have a lot of character IMHO.   Cricut to the rescue with this oh so cute octopus from the Birthday Bash cart. 

Since this card is for my science - minded DGD, I quickly realized that I would have to create some extra legs for my octopus and so I sliced and welded in Design Space only to find that because I wanted the extra legs a darker color, it was just much easier to duplicate the octopus and trim away two legs.   Lesson learned!   I eliminated the birthday packages that the octopus was carrying by closing the eye in DS and then I substituted a layered heart from Doodlecharms.

I distress inked the background using my Groove, added some dew drop bubbles and heat embossed the sentiment.   Such a fun card to make!

I am linking my card with the Valentine challenge at BBTB2 here.

and the Valentine Challenge # 294 at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog here.

If you are 'last minute - ing it' like me, there's tons of inspiration on both sites.  Thanks for visiting with me today.  : )   Christine

Pop Up Photo Frame Card

Like most families we share photographs via social media, but just occasionally, I love to send a photograph to share a special moment.

Last week my sister mailed a giant box to our house containing Master J's birthday presents.  He ripped into that box and demanded that we open each and every toy as it emerged from the packing paper!

His favorite, however, was the Thomas the Train bubble blower and after dinner, we filled it up with bubble mix, found two AA batteries and sent him off to bubble the yard.   He bubbled his Dad and Mom, his Grandpa and me, and even tried to bubble Cocoa but that wise puppy would not stay still and be bubbled!

We took pictures and video, of course but I wanted to do something special as a 'Thank You' for my sister. I remembered seeing a cute photo card holder on Pinterest and decided to search for something similar in Design Space.  Aha!   I could not find a photo frame card but I did find a card with the right pop up mechanism.

I inserted the card onto my mat and resized it to make a 5.5 by 4.25 card.  Then I added a square and  unlocked the dimensions to make it 5.5 by 8.5.  Using the align button, I aligned the two images horizontally and 'ungrouped' the pop up card.  I selected the score lines and using the arrow keys, I moved them across until they were in exactly the same place on my card.  The pop up card (minus score lines) was deleted.

Next, I needed the opening for the photo and I kept it simple by just adding a rectangle centered in the top half of the remaining card using the score lines for guidance.  I selected the rectangles and hit 'slice.'  Then I selected the sliced image and the score lines and hit 'attach.'  Now all that remained was to choose a frame to make the opening look finished and I was done!

Now for the fun part - embellishing the card.  I searched for birthday images and arranged them on the front of my card and around the frame,  Time to cut and assemble.

Just FYI - the score line are at 3/4 inch, 1 1/2 inches, and 5 inches.  Here's how the score lines are folded.  (Actually, there are two extra score lines indicating the center fold line.  Ignore these.)

I cut a regular A2 card with my cutter, scored and folded across the center and lined up the two pieces of my card.  I attached the top and bottom edges and checked that it folded correctly.  (It will not be completely flat.)

Then I attached the sides together just beneath the opening and the card was ready to embellish.

Here's the finished card from the side:-

And inside:-

I'll write a note to my sister and have Master J. add his name.  I think she'll like it!

O.K.  Are you thinking how useful this will be for special Halloween pictures, or Christmas pictures?  How about Graduation pictures for elderly relatives who don't Facebook?  Or even on an interactive scrapbook page?   Oh the possibilities...

Thanks for visiting with me today.  Hope you find this a useful file : ) Christine

https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/28904416

Hopping by with Lots of Love!

Although Ms. Kangaroo and her joey are meant as a birthday card, I think it will work as a Valentine's Day card.  I stamped 'Happy Valentine's Day' on the back just to reinforce the intention!

All the cuts are from the Cricut cart, Birthday Bash.  This, along with Create A Critter are my go-to carts when I want cute images.  Now I have to confess that I am tired of 'cute' and ready for something more sophisticated!  Hmmm.

There are so many challenges out there this week!  I am linking this card with the 'Heart' challenge over at Bitten by the Bug 2

and the 'Seeing Red' Challenge # 196 at FCCB

Both DTs have done a terrific job and I'm totally intrigued by a couple of the projects.  I feel a 'sophisticated' scraplift coming on!    Thanks for visiting with me today.   : )  Christine

Valentine Treats - Part Deux

There are SO many adorable animal cuts on my Cricut carts and I obviously need more DGKids!  (hint! hint!)  I finally decided on this sweet mama kangaroo and her joey because of the heart shaped balloon.  This cut is from Birthday Bash and I think that I'll use the card key and replicate mama kangaroo on G's Valentine card. Should be a cute card for a cute DGD!

Since my head was full of cute 'holder' ideas, I thought that I would cut the baby from Baby Steps and have him holding a basket of goodies and a gift card for an upcoming baby shower.  Again, the heart border holding the box - all the baskets I have in my stash were too large - is cut from Paper Trimmings and the flowers are from Art Philosophy.  Inconsistent, I know, but somehow I don't mind his huge head!

I am linking my big-headed baby in the Bitten by the Bug 2 Baby Challenge

and this week's Exploring Cricut  Cricut Choice challenge - use the color blue, two Cricut cuts and patterned paper.


Now I'm off to pick up Master J for the afternoon.  Hope you have a fun day, too!   Thanks for visiting with me.  : ) Christine