Scrapbooking Grandma Crafts

Trendy Alternative - Magnetic Project Boards

2012-01-29T09:02:00.002-06:00

I have a Trendy Alternative for the Scrap'n Easel and other magnetic project work surfaces.
I do love that the Scrap'n Easel has angled work surface. I love having the option to hold my project pieces in place when designing. I love the fact that it is a 12x24 work surface. I love the fact that it folds up to a nice portfolio. I like the fact that it has a grided work surface.
I would just love to be able to have the Scrap'n Easel but it is just too expensive.

I got to thinking how can I have all of that and be able to afford it.

So I came up with a Trendy Alternative to this. With some creative thinking and shopping around looking for ideas. This is what I came up with. I love it just as much for a fraction of the cost.
It's a 17"x23" work surface. It is a Magnetic Dry-Erase Board. Sometimes also called a White Board.
It's by Quartet and I picked it up at my local Wal-mart for under $10. I also found some magnets at Wal-mart that work perfectly with this magnetic board.
I had a book stand so I didn't need to purchase that. It works fantastic! It's very sturdy with the bookstand behind it. The board and magnets cost Under $20.
You would just need to find an easel that would work with it. Maybe you or a handy hubby could build you one. I was lucky enough to have my bookstand available. I like the fact that the white board will hold one 12 x 12 layout.
This leaves and extra space at the side of the magnetic board to hold your cuts or make some notes as you go along.
Here are some photo's of how it looks.

Here's The label from the product

This book stand I already owned.

These are the magnets I purchased seperately.

Valentine Heart Wreath

2012-01-28T09:49:00.001-06:00

I bought this wreath at walmart. I decide to add my favorite bear cut to it to decorate it. It was a really super easy project to make.

Digital Download:

Valentine Sweets - Bear Cut at 4"

I Wrote A Book!!!! - 19 Craft Projects To Make

2012-01-23T17:40:00.001-06:00

I wrote a book!! It is in PDF format!!! In all of my organizing I wanted to organize my projects I put out on my blogs over the years. After I made this book I decided I wanted to share it with all of my viewers.
You all have been so wonderful to come here visit and all those wonderful comments you share.
I really appreciate all of my followers and viewers.

Here is my book cover!! I designed, wrote and illustrated everything in this book. I hope you all enjoy it.
Click on the download link below the picture for your FREE COPY of my Book!!! It's 108 pages of pure crafting fun!! I hope to do 2 more books. One of my Cards and one of my layouts. Hopefully I will get those out this year. Leave a comment or email me and let me know how you like it!

FREE BOOK DOWNLOAD

3D Valentine Mailbox

2012-01-21T18:13:00.003-06:00

I got a couple of digital downloads for Cricut Craftroom. I got 3D Valentine Boxes and Valentine Sweets.
I have been wanting to make mailboxes for so long. Every where I looked the tin mailboxes were sold out.
So I went ahead and tried the 3D Valentine Boxes from Cricut.com. The bear on Valentine Sweets is just so adorable. I really like the mailbox too.

Digital Download:

3D Valentine Boxes - For the mailbox: Cut at 6" -

Valentines Mail: Cut at 3.917 x 1.597

Digital Download:

Valentine Sweets - For the Bear: Cut at 4"

Love - Cut at 1.972 x 0.972

Regular Cartridge:

CTMH Art Philosophy - for the label behind Valentines mail : Cut at 5.944 x 2.361

Finished Size - 5-1/2" L - 4-1/2" H - Door Opening is 2-1/2" W - 4" H

I made this box with some alterations of the image.

I did some experimenting with the assembling of the boxes and didn't care for how it went together.

Especially when using chipboard.

So, what I did was, I welded the 2 sides and top of the mailbox together in Cricut Craftroom. Making it one piece. I found it much easier to work with the top of the mailbox by doing it this way.

I cut all the pieces out in chipboard first. Then I cut all the pieces out with pattern paper.

On the pattern paper cuts, I cut off the tabs. Then I adhered the pieces(not the tabs) to the chipboard.

I used terrifically tacky tape to hold it together. I tried other adhesives and terrifically tacky tape worked the best.

I took 2 strips of pattern paper and applied them to the two end seams of the mailbox for a more finished look.

Cricut Cartridge Storage Solution

2012-01-15T19:20:00.001-06:00

I have my Cartridges and handbooks organized. It has taken me a full week to do this whole operation. LOL. I modified the way I was storing the handbooks because I have lack of space to keep them in.
This is my solution for now. Until I change my mind again. LOL

I have my cartridges in these bead boxes.

I like my cartridges seperate from my handbooks because many times I just need the cartridge.

I made file folders and labels and aphabetized them in these crates.

I decided to store the handbooks on end at the end of my scrap table.

I bought these crates at Wal-Mart. They are the DVD crates.

When the table skirt is closed you don't even notice they are there.

That was what I was trying to achieve.

I didn't want these DVD crates noticable or on my table.

Is this the ideal way I wanted to store them? The answer is no.

I would have much rather had a file cabinet or drawers to store them in.

I have been looking and I haven't found anything that would work.

Now I have my handbooks available to me if I need the overlays.

I'm going to be using the digital handbooks I downloaded from cricut.com library.

I'm Getting Organized

2012-01-11T05:28:00.000-06:00

On the Circle MB there are threads on getting organized. It's been a lot of fun working together with others organizing our craft rooms. Each week we are focusing on a section of our craft rooms and organizing them together. I'm not following that schedule exactly. We can mix it up however we want.
I started organizing before these threads popped up. This is my challenge to get my room organized.

My challenge to myself is to make my room look nice and at the same time having it functional.

This is my schedule so far.

Week 1 - I washed my craft room from top to bottom. Walls, Ceiling, Carpet and Furniture have all been cleaned. I made table skirts and shadowboxes to beautify the room.

Week 2 & 3 - I'm organizing my cartridges and handbooks. I bought extra bead boxes to store my cartridges in and I am in the process of making file folders for my handbooks and overlays.
I do plan on using my tablet to look at the digital handbooks for projects. But, I still need my overlays for my Cricut Expression Machines and Cricut Create Machine.

I'll keep updating this post and be posting pictures soon.

Imagine - Design - Create - Inspire Shadowbox

2012-01-05T12:04:00.001-06:00

Imagine - Design - Create - Inspire Project . I am entering it in the Circle Magazine Contest.

I cut my letters using Tie The Knot and Blackletter cartridges.I designed my cuts in Cricut Craftroom and cut with my Cricut Mini. I cut my butterflies with the Sophie Cartridge. I modge podged my pattern paper to the back of the frame. I arranged my design and embellished with pearls and floral accents.

Craft Table Skirts - The Easy Way

2012-01-04T13:42:00.002-06:00

I made 2 craft table skirts today and it is very easy to do. I first picked up some Kitchen curtains, hooks and curtain rods. They were 36" long so I had to hem them up to fit my tables 30" high. I'm not really a sewer but I can do some basics. This was just a straight stitch across. I folded the fabric from the top 2 times where the rod pockets are since I couldn't hem the from the bottom. I sewed at the edge of the fabric keeping the rod pockets in tack so I could still use them. I drilled holes in my table and screwed in the hooks. I attached the rods and slide on the curtains. Easy, Easy! I was surprised it really didn't take all that long.

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T16:37:00.000-06:00

I am making a list of my craft goals for 2012. I hope this keeps me on track of what I hope to accomplish this coming year. Do you make crafting goals for yourself each year?

Craft Goals For 2012

1. Keeping my blogs up. (I did good on this goal for 2011. Between both blogs I have 200+ blog postings)
2. Use what I have. I am going to design my projects with the supplies I already own.
3. Organize My Craft area. My main focus is organizing my cartridges again.
I downloaded the pdf handbooks from cricut.com to store on my computer. I am going to move the books into strorage. This will free up a good amount of space.
4. Catch up on my Granddaughter's Scrapbooks.
5. Spend more time Crafting.
6. Clean my scrap room in between projects. (This is a real challenge for me)
7. Self Imposed spending ban except for adhesive and paper as needed.
8. Update my Craft Inventory sheets.

I hope everyone has a blessed New Year! Happy New Year!

Alternative Images For The Alterations Dies

2011-12-31T08:38:00.001-06:00

If you want to craft along with me when I'm doing my projects using alterations dies. I made up these charts with alternative cuts. They are images from the cartridge images that can be substituted for the alterations dies by Sizzix.
Here's the charts I made up.

Happy Hauntings - Spider
Black Letter Font - Boo - I welded the webs to the Boo
October 31 - Webs
Black Letter Font - 31
Mother's Day Bouquet - Leaf
Art Philosphy - Acron
Pumpkin Carvings - Pumpkins
Chic & Scary - Cat
Home Décor - Branch
October 31 - Crow
October 31 - Candle
Black Letter Font - Noel - I welded Noel onto a scroll I found on home decor cartridge
Home Décor - 2 scrolls flipped and welded together
Speaking of Winter - Snowflakes
Tis The Season - Ornaments
George & Basic Shapes - Ovals welded on Ornament
Christmas (Christmas Noel) - Lamp Post
Disney Classics - Tree - set of 3 - I hid the other 2 trees
Cindy Loo - 25
Tis The Season - Doe
Home Décor - 3 Branches
Winter Woodland - Holly
Art Philosophy - Flower For the Pinecone

Hope Card

2011-12-28T08:41:00.003-06:00

Today I made a card for HOPE. I have much hope that things will get better. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I hope that my work is inspiring to you. Hope means to me it is the anticipation of something good to come and to believe it will.

I used the Tim Holtz Sizzix Snowman die, the Pinetree die, the Hope movers and shapers die and the snowflake border die. I am playing with my Tim Holtz Sizzix dies and trying out some of his techniques and his style. I think we learn from experimenting. That is how we know our likes and dislikes.

I put snow on the pinetrees with Liquid applique then took my heat tool and puffed it up like snow.

The flowers I took a 1-3/4" and a 1-1/4" circle punch and hand cut it into a spiral.

Then rolled up the flowers.

Noel Card

2011-12-27T11:52:00.001-06:00

If your familiar with Tim Holtz. He has a 12 tags of Christmas special on his blog every year. He encourges everyone to try to make them too. So, I decided instead of a tag I would make a card. This is what I came up with for a card using his 1st tag of Christmas as a guide.

Here's what I used:

I bought Tim Holtz alterations pinecone die.

The foilage and holly I got from the Cricut Cartridge Christmas (Christmas Noel)

Foilage cut at 2.847 height. The foilage with the berries was cut at 2.861 Height

The holly 3.583 height was also welded to the Noel. It is 2 holly branches weled together.

The card base I printed on the Imagine and used Christmas Wish Imagine Cartridge.

The Noel was welded together using the Black Letter Cartridge.

Santa and his sleigh is from Cricut Imagine Santa's Village cartridge.

The music paper was from Vintage Papers Imagine Cartridge.

I just hand cut a banner and folded it.

I would have loved to get all of Tim's alterations dies for this but I just cannot afford them.

So I got creative with my Cricuts and came up with these alternative cuts.

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-24T04:39:00.001-06:00

I want to wish all of my viewers, followers of my blogs, YouTube channel and Friends and Family a very Merry Christmas!!

I enjoy each and everyone of you and your interest in my craft projects, videos and tutorials.

I love presenting to you my ideas and projects and sharing what I know with all of you.

I appreciate your kind comments and friendships I have made through blogging and Cricut Community.

I am truely blessed to have all of you in my life. I hope your holidays are safe, warm and filled with love and peace.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wood Spool Christmas Tree Ornament

2011-12-18T09:50:00.002-06:00

This project was made by me and my 3 yr. old granddaughter.
This is my granddaughter's gift for her mother.
My granddaughter glued the decorative paper onto the spools.
She then glued the spools together with glossy accents.
The decorations on the tree are mini pom poms
I did the cutting of paper and hot glueing the ribbon, holly,felt skirt and presents under the tree.
I like it so much I think I'm going to make some for myself.

It fit perfectly in an empty cartridge box for wrapping.

Retiring Cricut Cartridges - Updated

2011-12-16T05:03:00.007-06:00

When There Gone There Gone!

I was talking with some friends that were not aware which cartridges were retiring. We also talked about the Limited Edition Seasonal Cartridges being limited in quatities. So I wanted to share with everyone the list of cartridges that are retiring or limited in quantites.

Below is a list of Cricut Cartridges that are retiring.

I am also including a list of Limited Edition Seasonal cartridges. These are available in limited quantities. So you might want to pick them up before they sell out. These won't be restocked.

Retiring Cricut Cartridges:

A Garden Of Words - Retiring 2011
An Ocean Of Words -Retiring 2011
All Mixed Up - Retiring 2010
Animal Kingdom - Retiring 2011
Baseball - Retiring 2010
Base Camp Retiring 2010
Basketball - Retiring 2010
Batman The Brave And The Bold - Retiring 2011
Beyond Birthdays - Retiring 2010
Black Letter - Retiring 2010
Camp Out - Retiring 2011
Celebrations - Retiring 2011
Christmas Cheer - Retiring 2010
Christmas/Noel - Retiring 2010
Cricut Lite - B is for Boy - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Billionaire - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Block Pary - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Bloom - Bloom - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Botanicals - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Carousel - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Celebrate With Flourish - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Cherry Limeade - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Chore Chart - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Cupcake Wrappers - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Dude - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Feeling Groovy - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Four Legged Friends - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Handy Man - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Hoot N Holler - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Inspired Hearts - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Jolly Holidays - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Lacy Labels - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Live Simply - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Lovely Floral - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Meow - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - PlayTime - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Savory - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Slumber Party - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Splish Splash - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Sugar and Spice - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Twinkle Toes - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Varsity Letter - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Wildlife - Retiring 2011
Cricut Lite - Zoo Day - Retiring 2011
Disney Dreams Come True - Retiring 2011
Disney Cars - Retiring 2011
Disney Happily Ever After - Retiring 2011
Disney Hannah Montana - Retiring 2011
Disney Mickey And Friends - Retiring 2011
Disney Mickey Font - Retiring 2011
Disney Pooh And Friends - Retiring 2011
Disney Pooh Font Set - Retiring 2011
Disney Spongebob Square Pants - Retiring 2011
Disney Tinker Bell And Friends - Retiring 2011
Elmo's Party Cartridge - Retiring 2011
Fabulous Finds - Retiring 2010
Forever Young - Retiring 2011
Hello Kitty Greetings - Retiring 2011
Hello Kitty Font - Retiring 2011
Home Accents - Retiring 2011
Home Decor - Retiring 2011
Indie Art - Retiring 2010
Locker Talk - Retiring 2010
Martha Stewart All Occasions - Retiring 2011
Martha Stewart Birthday Cake Aer - Retiring 2011
Martha Stewart Elegant Cakes - Retiring 2011
Martha Stewart Seasonal Cakes - Retiring 2011
Making The Grade - Retiring 2010
Mini Monograms - Retiring 2010
New Arrival - Retiring 2010
Pagoda - Retiring 2011
Paisley - Retirng 2011
Paper Pups - Retiring 2010
Pink Journey - Retiring 2011
Pooh And Friends - Retiring 2011
Pooh Font Set - Retiring 2011
Printing Press - Retiring 2010
Sans Serif - Retiring 2010
Sesame Street And Friends - Retiring 2011
Sesame Street Font Cartridge - Retiring 2011
Sentimentals - Retiring 2011
Serenade-Retiring 2011
Speaking Of School-Retiring 2011
Speaking Of Winter-Retiring 2011
Stamping - Retiring 2010
Street Sign - Retiring 2010
Stone Script - Retiring 2010
Soccer - Retiring 2010
Superman - Retiring 2011
Tags, Bags, Boxes and More - Retiring 2010
Tear Drop - Retiring 2010
Wedding - Retiring 2011
Walk In My Garden - Retiring 2011
Zooballo - Retiring 2010

Seasonal Limited Edition Cricut Cartridges

When It's Cold Outside - 2009

Very Merry Tags - 2009

Snow Friends - 2009

Love Struck - 2010

Mother's Day - 2010

Easter - 2010

Independence Day - 2010

Summer Vacation - 2010

Summer In Paris - 2010

October 31st - 2010

Pumpkin Carving - 2010

H20 - 2010

Christmas Cards - 2010

Christmas Village - 2010

Thanksgiving - 2010

Winter Lace - 2010

Trim The Tree - 2010

Gingerbread - 2010

Mother's Day Bouquet - 2011

April Showers - 2011

Spring Holiday Cards - 2011

Luau - 2011

Father's Day - 2011

Happy Graduation - 2011
Chick And Scary - 2011

Happy Crafting!!

Mary

Sleigh Treat Holders

2011-12-13T19:29:00.001-06:00

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Check out Mary's Crafting Spot to see how to make these sleigh treat holders.

Felt Hat Gift Cards

2011-12-13T16:48:00.002-06:00

I am just loving my Cricut Mini and playing with Cricut Craftroom. Here are the hat gift cards I was working on in the video I just did on cutting felt. These are both made out of felt and glued onto cardstock card.
I stitched it with twine to accent the hats. I am making more and I am really enjoying this.
The hat is from the Creative Memories Cheerful Seasons cartridge.
The hat is sized in CCR Width - 3.514 Height 5.167 I welded the 2 hats together to form the card.
Then cut the layers in felt.

Cutting Felt With The Cricut Mini - Video

2011-12-11T13:25:00.004-06:00

Hi Everyone

I got a cricut mini. I wanted it for cutting felt. This is how I prepared and cut regular craft felt to cut using my Cricut mini. Different felts require different preparations. These instructions are for Craft Felts (high-quality polyester fiber) I found this felt at Wal-Mart.
Cut Settings I used
Speed - 2
Multi-Cut 4
Pressure - High

*Note to myself: I am going to try multi-cutting 2 times. Then not removed my mat. Clean off the blade. Then do another multi-cut 2 times to see if it cuts cleaner.

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My Son's Birthday Card

2011-12-10T09:29:00.002-06:00

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My son's birthday is this month and I made this card for him.

Card Size - 5-1/2x8-1/2
I used the camping out cartridge for the pine trees and deer.
I used vintage papers Imagine cartridge for the worded background paper.
I used Stampin up paper for the border around the card.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-06T14:33:00.000-06:00

Well the Holiday Season offically has started and I have some projects for you. They are mainly Imagine projects and will be featured on my other blog Mary's Crafting Spot.

I will be having a snowflake of the day posted at Mary's Crafting Spot . So don't forget to check out my other blog. I made a lot of projects this month and hope to get them all up on my blogs.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Pine Cone Topiary

2011-12-02T08:17:00.000-06:00

I've been busy and I am finally able to get some postings up today. I made 6 Pinecone topiary's for Christmas. I gave 2 of them to my daughter and I am keeping 4 for my decorations. Here's My table setting using them as the centerpiece. I loved mixing traditional Christmas Colors with the non-traditonal colors and I think it makes a beautiful centerpiece. The ornament candles I had gotton years ago and decided to pull them out this Christmas and add to the table centerpiece. Thanks For Looking.

I will have a tutorial on Mary's Crafting Spot how I painted and decoupaged the pots.

I have some projects coming up

2011-11-20T05:23:00.001-06:00

I have been busy making projects. That is why I haven't been posting lately. I have a hint for you on what some of my new projects might have in them.

It involves these pinecones I have been picking.

I hope to have them up soon. I am very excited about it.

Halloween Treat Bags And Candy Wrappers

2011-10-30T14:31:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween!!

I've been making some last minute quick and easy treat bags and candy wrappers for Halloween.

These are super easy and fun to make.

I am super excited I got this project done just in the knick of time for Halloween.

This bag was decorated with a pumpkin cute from Smiley Faces Cartridge.

I used felt fushion to decorate the bottom of the bag and ribbon to accent the top.

I put Halloween tissue paper on the inside to finish the look.

I used Micro Bags 4" x 5-1/8" . These are a perfect size for treat bags.

This bag I made a window with the Martha Stewart punch all over the page punch.

I decorated the bag with felt fushion and twine.

I framed out the window on the bag with patterned paper.

I accented the inside of the bag with Halloween tissue paper.

This bag I used the Smiley Face Cartridge for the candy corn die cut.

I accented the bag with ribbon.

This bag I also accented the inside of the bag with Halloween tissue paper.

To wrap your candy cut your paper to size for wrapping.

In this instance I cut a 6" x 7" piece of cardstock.

For these kit kat mini candy bars I used a 6" x 6" cardstock to wrap them.

I applied double sided tape to three sides of the paper then wrapped them.

I took my Marvy paper crimper and crimped both ends of the candy wrapper.

I accented them with patterned cardstock and ribbon.

Pumpkin Box Treat Holder

2011-10-30T06:01:00.001-05:00

I made this pumpkin treat box with the Sweet tooth box cartridge.

Cut at 7" . The leaves were cut from Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge cut at 2".

For the stem I just rolled a small piece of paper into a tube and adhered it on with a glue gun.

I put the center cupcake piece inside in the box to hold the top of the box up in its appropriate place.

Monthly Circle Challenge - Halloween Home Decor

2011-10-08T11:06:00.003-05:00

This is my Monthly Challenge for the Circle Blog. We are to make a home decor Halloween Project.

Yellow Circle cut at 3" cat cut at 2.5"

I used Chic & Scary Cartridge

Pumpkin Cut at 3" from Chic & Scary Cartridge.

Spider Web cut at 4", Spider cut at 2"

I used the Chic & Scary Cartridge.