Online Canadian Swarm ~ exchange

The deadline for this has already passed, but I was so pleased with how these turned out I wanted to share.  I can't seem to get rid of the underline to start this post, you'll just have to believe me, I tried.

Halloween cricut Cut exchange ~ read on: 

Participants need to commit by Oct 13, ready to mail by Oct 24, 2011.

Choose a layered or plain Halloween theme image, cut it out about 3-4”.
Use a minimum of 3 embellishment types of your choice: bling, glitter, glitter glue, ink, stamp, pen/gelpen/marker, paint, emboss/deboss, stitch, distress…

BUT, you must show & tell.   Baggie and include with each cut a short print out your contact info (real name, MB name, anything more you want to include is your choice) info of the cut (from what cart, what you did to it) to enclose with your swap.  At 3-4” these will make a nice card accent or scrapbook layout accent, while not being too small to have some fun decorating.  Bonus "feel good points" if you try a new-to-you technique you have always wanted to try.

What is this sparkle stuff?  

Hard craft foam shapes, rubbed together, yields textured sparkles.  I learned of this from the circle messageboard and been wanting to try it on something.

Using my gypsy, I cut out some  monsters from the "Paper-doll Dress up" cartridge.   I used the cricut pens to "draw," and hid the faces on another screen to cut out the shape.  I randomly glued the outline & stringy lines to simulate draped fabric, then sprinkled the foam sparkles across the wet glue.  Dipping the wet glued paper into the sprinkles makes gobs of smeary mess.  The blue & white paper is scrap paper for easy clean up.

Here's a before & after picture of the foam sprinkles detail.  I used recollections brand shimmer paper, I think its quite ghostie looking.

   Here's the completed trick or treaters.  I used green sparkle jems for the eyes.  I altered the bag to make it a little more "squat" looking with the gypsy, so it would hold more loot!  I used the same marker technique I used on the costume.  The bag is not permanently attached so people can put it in left or right hand as they please.  The little body underneath was too naked looking so I used green marker to make little shoes, and brown marker for soles.  They're almost 4" tall, cute lil spooks!

 The beauty of this challenge is, when using at least 3 different details, it becomes more visually interesting.  That is what makes cricut cutouts so versatile, jazzing them up with embellishments.

Participants sent their swap SASE to a circle member.  Ooops, I just realized I didn't send the cut information with mine, 

too late now, its in the mail.  

One more post coming, to show what I receive from the swap :)

Paper Dolls

Good day!  I have been itching to use the paper dolls cartridges for cricut ("Paper Dolls for Everyday" & "Paper Dolls Dress Up" cartridges) & then opportunity appeared.  I know a sweet little 4 year old who is very fashion conscious & would love to play with something like this.  I got busy with my trusty Gypsy to pick all the components before cutting.  I used cardstock from my stash to cut out 12 paper dolls 5.5" tall to make 2 boys & 2 girls.  The reason for the multiples is to glue-stick them 3 layers thick so they are tougher for play time.  I glued the hair & footwear on permanently so they would be less frustrating to little hands, then detailed the faces, hair, & shoes with markers.  Pictures taken with my cell phone again.  I clicked them X-Large to bring up the details since they seem to be lost in the smaller size.  I like their googly eyes, the pictures don't show but some dolls have blue eyes, or green eyes or black eyes.  I've had them in my stash forever & its satisfying to finally use them.

 Flip the dolls over & this is what the other side looks like.

Heres some dolls trying on clothes.  I resisted the urge to fold back the tabs, they are a gift & I didn't want them to look "used."

 Here are the rest of the doll clothes, some are double duty with double sided details.  I thought it was a nice thing to help encourage memory that way.  I detailed some with markers & little stickers & left some blank in case kiddo or her Mommy would like to decorate some too.  They are easy to detail right over the cut lines.

Those are sweetheart candy valentine sticker sayings like, "Kiss me, Hug me, XOX, Be mine" on the little orange-yellow sundress.  The pastel stars are fuzzy stickers, & the sea stickers are sparkly.  White gel pen really brings up the details & add nice contrast to the black.  I forget the brands of pens & stickers, sorry but they're from my "stash."

I like the t-shirt sayings, "Just say MOO," "MEOW power," & "Everybody say WOOF!"  The little blue squiggle dress started out as an oops, messed up outlining it when the marker slipped.  I kinda like it better all squiggled up.  Outlining the cutouts really gives nice definition don't you think?

Its okay to channel your inner child sometimes, thats why they call it play.  I don't think adults laugh or play enough anymore.  I'm not talking juvenile immature rudeness either.  I hearby give you permission to go goof off & play with something creative.  Go ahead, you know you wanna!