Hallmark Ladybugs

The winner of the Formal Occasions cartridge is...........

2011-02-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

Connie!

Random.org chose comment #1.

Thanks for your comment and for visiting our blog. There was no way to contact you left in your post so please email us at customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com so we can send your cartridge.

"Connie said...

Looks like an awesome machine. To bad I recently purchased the Imagine!!! Would love the new Cartridge!"

Congratulations!

Announcing the NEW Cricut Expression 2! and Formal Occasions cart Giveaway.

2011-02-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

Announcing the NEW Cricut Expression 2 !
What do you think? We want your HONEST opinion.

Leave a comment below (and a way to contact you - if you win) for a chance to win a NEW FORMAL OCCASIONS cartridge.

Winner will be announced Sunday Feb 13th.

Can't see the video? CLICK HERE.

Don't forget to leave a comment--Good luck!

2010-08-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Imagine yourself a WINNER!(We've already had one of our customers WIN! Congratulations Michelle!)
Purchase any or all of the NEW Cricut cartridges for YOUR chance to WIN.
Winter Frolic, Rock Princess, Country Life or Happy Hauntings
Click Here for details. But hurry- the promotion ends Aug 31st.

Video of NEW Cricut Imagine Machine!

2010-07-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Extra Extra Read all about it (here) and watch the video (below)! Joy (one of our guest designers) from http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/ has posted this great video.

I've seen up close what this machine can do and It's AMAZING!

We'll have it available on http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com/ for Pre-Order as soon as we have a bit more information about the availability date - price etc... (MSRP is $599 but our price will not be MSRP)

What a Pear!

2010-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! This is Robyn, also known as My Pink Stamper from mypinkstamper.com and I am so excited to be a guest designer this week on Hallmark Scrapbook! I really wanted to spotlight my new stamp sets that were released a few weeks ago that they are carrying on their website. This one is called Fruit & Veggie Puns. I am going a little Punny Crazy!!

This card was made using the Preserves cartridge along with Coordinations cardstock.

I absolutely LOVE the colors on this card and can you believe I didn't even use pink? What a thought!! LOL! I don't use pink ALL the time but I would like to most of the time. :)

The pear was cut at 3 3/4 inches. I hope you enjoy!!

Thanks for letting me participate today over on Hallmark Scrapbook! It was a pleasure!!

Oct. 31 Spooky Spider Card

2010-06-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Joy and I made today's 5" x 7" card using the new Cricut Oct. 31 mini cartridge! This is such an easy and fun cartridge to use! One layer is really quick and easy to cut! Hallmark Scrapbook has this on pre-order along with the Cricut Pumpkin Carvings mini cartridge and the Cricut H2O mini cartridge! These are inexpensive and great fun!

I love these papers by Basic Grey and Making Memories - so festive and Halloween-like!

I cut the spider at 3" and the spiderweb at 5-1/2" and it was quick! I didn't even cut the spiderweb at a slow speed and no problems!

I added this strip to the inside of the card just to add a finishing touch to the card.

Don't forget to leave a comment here and at Obsessed with Scrapbooking to enter to win a "you pick one" cartridge from the selection at Hallmark Scrapbook!

Have a wonderful day!

Pretty Girl Layout with Cindy Loo cartridge!

2010-06-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Joy from Everyday Cricut and Obsessed with Scrapbooking and I have a two page layout to share with you today!

I used the new Cindy Loo Cricut cartridge, which I have dubbed, Cindy Loo-Storybook 2, because it's like a companion cartridge to the most fabulous Storybook cartridge. It contains an unusual chunky font, gorgeous frames and cuts!

You may not know this but Cindy Loo is one of four cartridges that contain a scratch off ticket to win a 7 day Carribean cruise OR $100,000 from Provocraft (I know which I'd prefer....LOL!). So you may want to take a chance - someone will win!

In honor of guest designing today, how about a giveaway? Who wants to win a "you pick one" cartridge from right here, Hallmark Scrapbook?

How can you win?
Leave a comment and subscribe to Hallmark for a chance to win. For extra chances, head over to Obsessed with Scrapbooking and leave a comment under today's post over there!

I originally created the left side of the layout as a stand alone, when I was previewing the Cindy Loo cartridge.

I cut the large medallion (called Frame2 on page 37) at 11-1/2", using all the layers except the shadow.

The word "pretty" was cut at 1-1/2", using the Font feature key base and blackout. I mounted the word art on the scallop circles on page 25 (called Flower4) that I cut at 2-1/2". These are not uniform circles, FYI. I inked the edges with green chalk ink. Paper is from Anna Griffin's Isabelle collection.

I wanted to make this a two page layout and so created this page to match. I love the frame feature on this cartridge - you can make the most gorgeous frames. I will tell you that your photos will need some trimming as I did not get them to cut at a standard 4" x 6". Often, though, if you don't crop in the photo editing software, there is always some trimming that can be done easily.

This frame was cut using the Frame feature key with Flrsh4 (on page 41) at 6-1/4". I embellished the edge with a 3-D sticker from Anna Griffin.

Still using the Frame feature key I cut the Flrsh1 (on page 38) at 5". I added another 3-D flower onto the right hand corner. I also used an Anna Griffin journaling circle off the edge.

This word art ("girl") was also cut at 1-1/2" using the Font feature key and mounted on the same scalloped circles as mentioned above. I love this chunky font - keep in mind that the width is much larger than the height for this font. The parenthesis are also from Anna Griffin.

Join me tomorrow for some more scrapping goodness!

Guest Designer: Kimberly (My Craft Spot) - A little Bird Told me

2010-06-18T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! This is Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) here to share my last project for this week! I made this card using my Cricut Expression, the Just Because Cards and Create a Critter Cricut cartridges, Coredinations cardstock, ribbon from my stash and a little piece of sandpaper. :-)

Here is a video showing how I made this card:

I have had so much fun creating and sharing these projects! Thanks again for the opportunity, Jody! And thank you for all of your sweet comments! Come hang out with me on my blog, My Craft Spot, anytime!

Have a great weekend!

Guest Designer: Kimberly (My Craft Spot) - Pucker Up!

2010-06-16T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Kimberly again (My Craft Spot). I am back with another project for you! This project was so easy to do! I used some of the same embellishments and the scraps from my Lemonade Scrapbook layout.

I used my Gypsy, my Cricut Expression, and the Just Because Cards cartridges. I also used Ranger Inks and DCWV cardstock.

When I have a scrapbook page that I love, I almost always make a card while I have the supplies out!

Here is a video showing how I made this card:

Be sure to check back Friday for another fun project! Can't wait? Come visit My Craft Spot for more cards, scrapbook layouts and videos! I made these fun cards using the Create a Critter and the Just because Cards cartridges.

Guest Designer: Kimberly (My Craft Spot) - Lemonade Layout

2010-06-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! This is Kimberly (My Craft Spot - SentimentalScrapper) and I am so excited to be back again as a Guest Designer on the Hallmark Ladybugs blog this week! Drop by my blog anytime: My Craft Spot!

I had so much fun making these "Lemononade'" scrapbook pages! I used my Gypsy, my Cricut Expression, and the Just Because Cards cartridges. I also used Ranger Inks and DCWV cardstock. I absolutely love the Just Because Cards cartridge for scrapbook pages! The titles are so fun and the embellishments that go with it are perfect for scrapbooking, even though it was made for cards. LOL!

Here is a video showing how I made these pages:

Be sure to check back on Wednesday for a cute card that matches this layout! Until then, you can find me on my blog, My Craft Spot. Have a great day!!

Blue Expression Winner!

2010-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

THANKS for all your submissions for the Blue Expression giveaway.

Our winner chosen at random was jeninjax

Congratulations!

Check back tomorrow to see if you won the Cake cartridge of your choice.

Thanks again everyone. I got lots of ideas and will post pictures when I have my room a little further along.

My Survivor Cake- and cartridge giveaway.

2010-05-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone.

I don't usually post my projects here but I wanted to share my "Survivor" Cake.

I'm a HUGE survivor fan! I've watched it since the beginning. Our dear friends (the Silvia family) who live next door invited us for dinner and a survivor finale party on Sunday. I was dying to make a cake with my Cricut CAKE machine. I had been practicing cuts and playing with fondant and Gum paste but had not actually put a cake together. I wanted to do more with this cake but ran out of time. Here's my cake:

(Yep- I spelled Villains wrong. Oops.)

I LOVE my Cricut Cake machine! I've been having so much fun.

I used the Paper Dolls Dress ups, life is a beach and Cake basics for the oval. Cake Basics come with the Cake machine.

I was surprised how easy it was to cover the cake with the fondant. I have not done that before. The hardest part was rolling it out. I used the Wilton Rolled fondant. I also used a peice of PVC pipe to roll it out. I saw in videos that bakers and cake decorators like using PVC for rolling pins. It's lightweight, food grade, strong and you can get pieces of PVC cut to any length you want. Mine is a 2 ft length and was $3 something at our local Home Depot. The letters, dolls and wave border are all Wilton fondant also. Here are a few tips that worked well for me:

1. I use a pasta roller to make the fondant and or gum paste a uniform thickness

2. Add a cornstartch/powdered sugar mixture to your fondant as you knead in color. It made mine the right consistancy. I found that if it's a bit stiffer than how it comes out of the package then it cuts a whole lot better.

3. Use shortening on the mat to "stick" your material to the mat. I also tried butter and vegetable oil. Neither worked as well for me. I was out of shortening when I first starting playing with my Cake machine.

4.Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhl50MMcyU0 and follow the advise to let the gum paste/fondant sit overnight IF you can (I did let some sit for a few hours and had great results). I only had a few sheets that I let sit overnight because I chose my colors as I went and was short on time so didn't have enough time to let it all sit. It needs to firm up. I found the large zip lock baggies at my local grocery store and I used some plastic sheets from Bed Bath and Beyond in the cutting board section- OR you could also use the Cricut Cake cutting mats

5. Don't be a hater. I was determined to make my machine work like the demonstrations I had seen on HSN. I worked with it until I found what worked for me and had fun doing it.

6. Use the Gum Paste recipe you get from signing up to receive email updates on this blog: http://www.cuttingedgecakeart.com/ It worked GREAT! It was the first success I had.

Just have fun and don't get too frustrated at first. Keep working at it and you'll love it as much as I do!

Ok- so, Leave a comment below (and a way for me to contact the winner) for a chance to win your choice of one of the NEW Cricut Cake cartridges. Good luck!

Guest Designer: Kate (Scrappers Creative Corner) - Princess Castle

2010-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, TGIF! Today is my last day here at Hallmark Ladybugs and I had so much fun sharing my projects with all of you and thank you so much for your sweet wonderful comments. Thank you so much Jody. I hope you had fun too and don't forget you can visit me anytime over on my blog. This project was made using the Cricut Cartridge Once Upon a Princess. Everything is cut a 8 1 /4" with the exception of cones on top which are cut at 8". I manually entered the size for each of the pieces.

The Recipes are

Bazzill Paper

Pinkini (for the lighter pink used on the 2 towers)

Fussy (for the darker pink used on the 4 towers and sides)

Ballet (the purple that is used on the cones)

Bouquet (the dark purple that is used inside the castle

Black Tie (the shiny black that is used for the main front of the castle and drawbridge)

First you have to turn any Creative Features Off

Then press the castle

The press Fit to Page and press OK this is to see how big it will cut using a full 12x12 paper. From there just follow the directions on pages 77 - 85.

I used 1/4" Scor Tape to seal some of the parts because they are really strong, but for some of them I used a small paint brush and Tacky Glue it's easier to work with for the smaller creases.

Guest Designer: Kate (Scrappers Creative Corner) - Summer Layout

2010-05-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout for you to get you super excited this summer. I am so busy during the summertime with the kids the I am getting my layout ready for our 3 day vacation in July and here is one of the layouts. Here is the Before....As you can see I misspelled Springs. Hey we all make mistakes right :}:}

Here is the AFTER....

I cut everything using Life is a Beach I love this Cartridge. I cut the Palm Trees and the Sun at 3 1/2" and the text at 3". I got the flowers at a local craft store and the brads in the middle of the flowers I got a long time ago. Unfortunately I am a scrapbook supply hoarder :}:} that I can't even remember where I got them anymore. All matting is cut from 4 x 6" for the photo's and put some ribbon on it. The PP is from the Fancy Pants Design Summer Soiree Collection from last year's collection.

The changes I made was using a muddy colored green paper from DCWV and embossing it using my Cuttlebug and the folder is Swiss Dots to make it look like the Palm Trees are in Dirt or Sand. I also used Pop Dots for the Sun and Text.

and of course I fixed the spelling of Springs.

I also used removable/adjustable adhesive on the matting, because sometimes at the last minute we want to switch it around depending on how and what picture you took and want to use.

I hope you guys like my layout thank you for looking. Please don't forget to follow my Blog.

Guest Designer: Kate (Scrappers Creative Corner) - Graduation Cards

2010-05-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone. My name is Kate from (Scrappers Creative Corner) and I am so excited to be a Guest Designer for Hallmark Scrapbook. I am a huge fan of their store and the Ladybugs. This is my first time being a Guest Designer ever and I am thrilled. Thank you so much Jody for this opportunity.

It's almost that time can you believe it - almost June. Time passes by so fast these days. I thought I would start of with 2 Graduations Cards.

This card is made using the Cricut Cartridge Everyday Paper Dolls which you can purchase here at Hallmark Scrapbooks this cartridge is just amazing so many possibilities with this one. This is a standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card. The Doll was cut at 3.5", I used some DMC floss for the tassle. The face is stamped from Peachy Keen Blushing Bride. I also put some earring on her Pink Bling. The black cardstock is punched with Stampin Up. The 2010 sticker I got from my local craft store.

I always like to finish the inside of my cards to make room for writing out personal sentiments. I also used my Stampin Up punch for this one.

This one is also a standard card 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". First thing I did was cut all my Hello Kitty at 3" from the Cricut Cartridge Hello Kitty Greeting which can also be purchase here at Hallmark Scrapbook. I embossed the red cardstock with my cuttlebug Congrats Folder. The 2010 sticker is from my local craftstore. The bottom is stamped with Fiskars - threading water.

I like finishing off the inside of my cards especially when using dark colored paper. It makes it so much easier to write your sentiment in.

Gypsy Tote winner!

2010-05-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

Our Gypsy tote winner is: CRAFTY SUE! Congratulations!

Crafty Sue said...

Oh, Jody, I didn't know such an animal existed! What a great complement to the Gypsy! Would so love to win this one! Thanks for the opportunity.

Sue- Please contact us a customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com with your shipping address.

Another GREAT Giveaway!... Gypsy Case

2010-05-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! We've got another great giveaway today It's 1 of our 2 last Gypsy case/totes. We though we were out and found 2 more so we thought we'd do a giveaway. We've had so many ask if we would get more and we wish we could but they were an exclusive and WE cannot get more.

For a chance to win this great GYPSY CASE

...all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post with a way for us to contact you if you are the winner.

Oh, and don't forget about our Blue Expression giveaway click here to take you to that post for a reminder of how to enter.

Winner of choice of cartridge at Hallmark Scrapbook........

2010-05-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

The WINNER of your choice of one (in stock) cartridge at Hallmark Scrapbook is........

TAMMY of Tamminnie's Design Blog

Tammy said...

What a pretty expression...Love that blue and it would look great on the walls. Nice to bring out the blue and scrolls too... Thanks for the opportunity to win such a wonderful prize. WOWZA!

smiles...Tammy

Please contact me (Jody) at customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com to let me know your choice of cartridge and your shipping address.

Congratulations!

Contest- Blue Expression Giveaway

2010-05-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

First of all we want to give a HUGE "THANK YOU" shoutout to all our fabulous Guest Designers! Haven't they been amazing?

Make sure to post a comment on this post if you have enjoyed all their work and for a chance to win an in stock cartridge of your choice from us at Hallmark Scrapbook

OK so on with the contest/giveaway.

I need some inspiration...

We moved into a new home nearly 6 months ago. I now have room for a craft room. Up until yesterday all my Craft stuff was in boxes on the floor from the move. All my Storage/Organizational containers are mis matched and have been collected over a few years. I need a workspace/desk and ideas. As you can see...

I love my Blue Expression so I just may use the blue color for the color on the walls but that's about as far as i have gone with the planning. I'd love some ideas.

TO ENTER TO WIN THE BLUE EXPRESSION: Post pictures of your craft room and/or organization systems on our Photo gallery HERE (click on "HERE" to go to the photo gallery to post your pictures). I know many of you have also made videos of your craft rooms so in addition to your picture you can give us a link to your video if you'd like. Let us all know where you got the items (if you can remember and the cost too). Winner will be picked at random from the submissions in our Photo Gallery and announced Sunday May 23rd on this blog.

The Prize .....

is a Blue Cricut Expression or a $199 gift certificate if you already have the blue machine) for our online store. The machine is our last one and we wanted to save it for this giveaway. (If you're the winner and live outside the United States in a country we normally ship to, please be aware that we cannot ship it outside the United States so your prize would be the Gift Certificate).

Don't forget to post a comment on THIS post for a chance to win a cartridge of your choice. Please make sure to leave a way for me to contact you. (email works best)

Guest Designer: Kimberly (Sentimental Scrapper) - Vintage Card with Handmade Flower

2010-04-30T00:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! This is Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) here to share my last project for this week! I made this card using my Gypsy, Walk in My Garden, A Child's Year, and Sweet Treats for the flower (explained in the video below) and Home Decor for the word "Adore".

I also used Ribbon and Tulle and a pearl from my stash and the Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch. I inked everything with the Tim Holtz distress inks. (antique linen, walnut, and tattered rose) The patterned paper is from Fiskars.

Here is a video showing how to make this pretty paper flower:

I have had so much fun creating and sharing these projects! Thanks again for the opportunity, Jody! And thank you for all of your sweet comments! Come hang out with me on my blog, My Craft Spot, anytime!

Guest Designer: Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) - Vinyl Tile

2010-04-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Kimberly again (SentimentalScrapper). I am back with another project for you! This project was so easy to do! I designed this on my Gypsy, cut it out on my Cricut Expression, and carefully put it on my tile (which I got for free!) What a great gift this would make!

I used the Gypsy font, Lyrical Letters, and A Child's Year Cricut Cartridge. I also used the Provo Craft Cricut Vinyl.

Here is a video showing how to cut vinyl with the cricut, how to weed the vinyl, and how to transfer it to your tile:

Come visit me at My Craft Spot anytime and be sure to check back on Friday for a project using handmade flowers!

Hallmark Guest Designer (SentimentalScrapper): Garden of Weedin' Scrapbook Pages

2010-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! This is Kimberly (My Craft Spot - SentimentalScrapper) and I am so excited to be a Guest Designer on Hallmark Ladybugs this week! Thanks Jody! I have a fun giveaway this week over at my blog. Come check it out at My Craft Spot!

I had so much fun making these "Garden of Weedin'" scrapbook pages! I used my Gypsy, my Cricut Expression, and lots of different Cricut Cartridges. There were so many details that I thought it would work best to just show you on a video how to make all of the fun embellishments on these pages. It turned into a 3 part series!! LOL!

Garden of Weedin' 12 x 12 Scrapbook Pages :

I cut all of the embellishments using my Gypsy, so I am listing the width and height measurements instead of dial size (inches). I have highlighted and linked all of the wonderful products I used that you can purchase at Hallmark Scrapbook!

These are the cartridges I used:

Walk in My Garden: Bumble bee (1.33w x 1.40h), Garden tools (1.58w x 1.54h), Sign post (3.11w x 3.83h), Watering can ( 2.30w x 1.54h), Sunflower (1.15w x 1.83h), Caterpillar (2.65w x 0.97h), Wheelbarrow (4.54w x 1.83 h),
Winter Woodland:
Bunny Rabbit (2.21w x 1.86h)

Paper Doll Dress Ups: Grass (2 welded together to make it 11.77w x 1.25h) and Dirt (9.66w x 1.97h and 6.86w x 1.40h), Fence (5.22w x 3.98h)
Gypsy Wanderings:
Tree (2.83w x 4.85h), "lettuce" (cut at 1.20w x 1.16h and explained in the video).
Gypsy Font: Title (Garden of Weedin')
Dinosaur Tracks:
Garden greens (inside layer of leaf) cut at 1.03w x 1.02h

Other supplies I used: Cat Eye Fluid Chalk Ink -Dark Moss, Diamond Glaze, Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint -Antique Linen, Ranger Distress Inks, Paper Piercer, Ribbon from my stash, Bazzill cardstock, Crate Paper patterned cardstock, Brads, Vellum, Adhesives.

Here is the 3 part video series showing how to make all of the embellishments on this page. Enjoy!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Be sure to check back on Wednesday for a vinyl tile project! Until then, you can find me on my blog, My Craft Spot. Have a great day!!

and the winner of the 'You Pick One' is....

2010-04-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

kmassman said...

Oh, that whole thing is so much more beautiful than I even anticipated! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 19, 2010 6:04 AM

Congratulations!!! You have two weeks to contact me with your address details at melliemel77@gmail.com

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments this week!

Melanie

Guest Designer: Melanie from Everyday Cricut--card made with Elegant Cakes

2010-04-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! It is Melanie again and today I have this simple card that I made with the Elegant Cake cricut cartridge, Basic Grey Urban Prairie paper, and Nestibilities.

It is so simple that all you need to know really is 4 ". That is size I cut this gorgeous medallion at. It is three simple cuts. A shadow, base cut, and a layer. It was so pretty by itself I almost did not add a sentiment. It would be a great cut for note cards.

The card itself is 5"x5". The yellow layer is 4 3/4" x 4 3/4".

The sentiment is stamped on a tag that is made using a Nestibility set. I tied a bow and simply attached the stamped tag. It was so easy!!!

Thanks again for checking out today's post. Make sure you are leaving a comment everyday, so you can win the' pick one' cartridge of your choice. I will be drawing tomorrow!

To check out my blogs go here ==> Courtney Lane Designs and Everyday Cricut

Have a wonderful day!!

Guest Designer: Melanie from Everyday Cricut- Happy Spring Card

2010-04-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! This is Melanie and today I have a card I made using my copics, Nestibilities, and a Martha Stewart border punch.

When I was designing this card I knew I wanted something fresh and fun. I think green, blue, and yellow definitely fit the bill. I gathered the appropriate paper, ribbon, and copics and I was set to create.

Now to get the polka dotted look on my umbrella, I simply too my colorless blender to the colored image and just made little dots. When it dried I got a sweet dotted pistachio parasol.

To make the grass I just chose two different greens(one dark one light) and made upward strokes with the tip of my copic. It makes very lush grass with just a quick flick of the wrist! you would have never known it was homemade if I had not told you. How cool is that!?! Copics are not just for coloring your stamps. They are also great for matching your embellishments!

Now, the only problem I had was trying to match my colored picture with a button. I knew I wanted a green button, but I did not have the right shade. However, I had a white button and copic markers! So, I took the same two that I used for the grass. I first covered the button with the lighter color and the taped it with the darker one. The end result is a marbled looking button.

Thanks for stopping by again. Make sure you leave a comment so you can be eligible to win a you pick one cartridge of your choice!

To view my blogs go here ==> Courtney-Lane Designs or Everyday Cricut

Have a fantastic day!

Guest Designer: Joy - Winner from You Pick One Contest

2010-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!!

You have two weeks to contact me at joyster110@gmail.com!

Here's the winner:

scrapgal said...

Oh how cool I would love a cart...thanks for the chance to win.
Kimberly

April 13, 2010 11:26 AM

Guest Designer: Melanie from Everyday Cricut--Butterfly Kisses Layout

2010-04-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! This is Melanie and I am so happy to be a guest designer on Hallmark Ladybugs! I just adore Jody and am happy that she has let me come over to play again!

To celebrate I am doing a you pick one(cartridge) giveaway this week! So, make sure you are leaving comments on my posts this week! I will pick a winner on Friday!

Today I have a layout that I made using Straight From the Nest and Walk in My Garden. I got the inspiration from a photo that I saw on a blog that I follow. I cannot remember the blog I got it from, so I cannot post it. Trust me though it is a beautiful photo of pink flowers in an aqua colored vase.

I cut the title using the Straight from the Nest cartridge at 2 1/4". I used glittered cardstock for the pink butterflies and added a little bit of bling.

The pretty pink flowers are from Straight From The Nest as well cut at 2". I used core'dinations cardstock(because I think it is the absolute best!).

To get the extra butterflies, just cut the shift layer a few extra times. I cut it in a glittered pink(for the title), in a glittered light aqua, and a glittered deep aqua cardstock.

I searched using my Design Studio to find out which cartridge had a vase because I could not remember. It told me that Walk in My Garden had a few. I chose the one with the most girth. I then cuttlebuged it with the 'Victoria' cuttlebug folder to give it a little texture.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

To view my blogs go here ==> Courtney-Lane Designs or Everyday Cricut

Have a wonderful week!!

Guest Designer: Joy from Everyday Cricut - Straight from the Nest

2010-04-16T06:40:00.001-07:00

This is Joy and here's a beautiful, yet easy, 5"x5" card I made using the Cricut Straight from the Nest Cartridge and the Basic Grey Wisteria paper pack!

Keep reading for more info about a great giveaway will be at the end of the post...

The card is 5" x 5" and was made by taking a piece of cream colored cardstock sized 5" x 10" and folding it in half. I then took a layer of 4-3/4" x 4-3/4" purple flowers paper, followed by a layer of 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" gold paper, and then a 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" medallion patterned paper and adhered them together. I used sheer gold ribbon to create a cross effect over these layers. Then I adhered the whole thing to the front of the card.

I cut this medallion at 4", regular and background in gold and purple papers. I then covered the gold section with adhesive and sprinkled copper/gold glitter all over it. I layered the pieces together and then pop dotted them to the face of the card.

The inside was dressed up with some of the scrap pieces from the above cuts - just to give some continuity.

Finally, I had this 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" square gold envelope to which I also adhered some scrap pieces. The effect is a quick, yet elegant, card with matching envelope!

Tune in tomorrow for a layout!

P.S. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE "YOU PICK ONE" CARTRIDGE GIVEAWAY!! Leave a comment here to have a chance to win! Drawing will be Sunday night at 6 pm central time!

Guest Designer: Joy from Everyday Cricut - Cute As A Bug Just Because Cards

2010-04-13T02:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Joy from Everyday Cricut and Obsessed with Scrapbooking and I'm here with another card from the Just Because Cards Cricut cartridge and A GIVEAWAY!

What am I giving away? How about a "you pick one" cartridge from Hallmark Scrapbook? That's right, you just pick one cartridge from Hallmark Scrapbook's selection of cartridges and that will be your prize!

How can you win?

Leave a comment here under this post. For more chances, head over to my other blogs, Everyday Cricut, and Obsessed with Scrapbooking and leave comments there.

Now, onto the project:

Today's "Cute As A Bug" card is from the Just Because Cards cartridge. I cut this card at 5-1/2", which makes into an A2 sized card. I used Coredinations Cardstock which cuts like a dream in the Cricut. Other patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket.

To see all the details on how I made this card, watch the video below. If you can't see it, click HERE!

Need some tips on how to use the Just Because Cards cartridge? Check out the video below. If you can't see it, click HERE!

Guest Designer: Monique Griffith - MonkeyDoodle Cricut - Again.

2010-04-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to be back for the second chapter of my Cricut meets Tim Holtz project. Thanks for all of the sweet comments on yesterday's post. And you can always find me over on my blog, MonkeyDoodle Cricut HERE. I've got one more day of blog candy during my Week of Giveaways, so come on by! In my post below, I've linked and highlighted all of the wonderful scrap goodies that you can purchase from the Hallmark Scrapbook store!

So continuing on with my CHA album, here's a layout I did that might require a little explanation, LOL! We met a fabulous new friend from the Cricut messageboard while there, and her name is Kitty. After one of the show days, she took us on a "short cut" through the back alley to get to our car, and it was a little scary, hehe. So she might want to clobber me for the pics, but it was just too fun to scrap. See below for details...

The skull w/crossbones and the arrows are Tim Holtz Grungeboard shapes. I used Ranger Distress Inks, and 2 different colors of paint dabbers to get that distressed look. I then used my Cricut Expression and the Indie Art cartridge to cut out the cool gear shape at 3 3/4", and used both the outer outline piece, and the inner piece - in opposite corners. Indie Art is a fantastic cartridge, and really compliments the edgy Tim Holtz look.

The journal tag was cut from the George cart as well as it's inner rectangle. I inked the edges of everything with dark brown ink for that distressed look.

To get all of the circles, I used my George cartridge (any cart with a circle shape will do.) and the Center Point key on my Expression. Just go toward the center of your piece of paper and set your size to 1" and cut a circle. The blade will then return to the middle of the circle. Now up your size to 1 1/4" and hit Repeat Last, and your machine will cut another circle just outside of the first circle. Again, the blade returns to the middle. Just keep upping your size by 1/4" and hitting Repeat Last, and you'll get a whole bunch of outline circle shapes in bunches of sizes. Such fun, and it'll work for other simple shapes as well.

Ok, I'm not really a fan of stickers, but I did cave in and buy some of Tim's stickers that included these awesome little compasses. So I stuck those in the middle of my gear cuts, and added some gear hardware and spinners in various metal tones. You can easily layer the hardware since the brads are plenty long.

On the double page layout below, we've got Kitty with both Wendy and myself, and then us with our friends Sandy, Terri and Marti at Bubba Gumps. What great "Bug Buds" we have!

On this tribute to Kitty page, I cut the cat shape from the A Child's Year cartridge at 3". And is it chic or crazy to add wings to a cat? I don't know, but I'm hoping for chic. The wings were cut from Indie Art at 1 3/4", and then I used the Tim Holtz clear Distress Crackle Paint to give them a shiny and crackled finish - a subtle, but really interesting effect, and adds to the edgy feel for sure!

On the Tim Holtz bookplate hardware, I actually colored it with red alcohol ink, and then went back and dropped a few random drops of metallic pearl alcohol ink directly onto the red, and it created this wild swirly pink look, which I fell in love with!

Check out this Tim Holtz metal foliage hardware below. It came with 3 different metal tones, but I opted to use alcohol ink and color them instead. I just dripped the alcohol ink directly onto the flowers, swirled it around and then dumped off the excess. Oh my goodness, this was a messy process, and my hands were ruined for days, but it was worth it. I do recommend that you use a Non-Stick Craft Sheet for your table, though, so it doesn't get ruined.

The key shape, as well as the heart shape on the other side of the photo are Tim Holtz Grungeboard shapes. Did you know that you can run them through the Cuttlebug? It's true! I used the Distressed Stripes embossing folder to texture them. I then used 2 different colors of blue paint dabbers to paint them, and then ran a dark brown Distress Ink pad directly over the surface, so that it just colored the raised stripes. Oh, this has endless possibilities! After the key was dry, I used Tim Holtz ball chain to attach it to the journal box, which was cut from the Storybook cartridge at 2 1/2" and attached with alcohol ink colored brads.

Hey, thanks for stopping by to hang out with me and my Cricut - and Tim Holtz too, LOL! And be sure to check out Hallmark Scrapbook for incredible customer service and all of your favorite scrap stuff!

Guest Designer: Monique Griffith - MonkeyDoodle Cricut

2010-04-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

Helloooo, scrappy friends! Monique signing in here, and hoping that you all had a wonderful Easter yesterday! I sure did, and it was just nice to be home with my family. I've been doing a lot of running around this year, and I must confess that I've enjoyed every minute of it. (Don't tell my daughter, ok?) But my favorite trip by far, was in January, when Wendy (my best friend and assistant) and I got to go to CHA in Anaheim. That's also where I met Jody, and I just can't thank her enough for the opportunity to do some Guest Designing for Hallmark Scrapbook! Btw, be sure to pop over to my blog, MonkeyDoodle Cricut HERE to say hi. I happen to be in the middle of my Week of Giveaways since I recently hit 1000 followers. Woohoo!

Well, today I'm going to share with you a few 8x8 scrapbook pages that I've recently completed for a CHA trip album that Wendy and I have been working on. These are the pages I've done, and I'll have to talk her into posting on her blog the pages she has done. Since we got to meet Tim Holtz at CHA and are so inspired by his style, we decided to give our album a Tim Holtz feel. But how on earth could I ever scrap without my Cricut Expression? Oh, NEVER!!! So each page has combined my two loves. Tim, meet Cricut. Cricut, meet Tim.

This is the opening page of the album. I used the Storybook cartridge to cut the scalloped square at 7" out of smooth white cardstock. Then, using Tim's new book "A Compendium of Curiosities" as my guide, I used his masking technique. So I actually cut up a clear cover sheet to an old mat. I cut a bird shape from the Serenade cartridge at 3", and a flourish from Storybook at 3". I then set these clear shapes down on the white cardstock, and used Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Inks and a Blending Tool to ink and stamp around them, which left those shapes white. I later used the negative cut to stamp random words inside the bird shape - how cool is that? To cut the photo into an oval, I used the George cartridge with the Center Point function on my Expression, and also cut its shadow from black cardstock for mat. I then distressed the photo and the mat. It just wouldn't be Tim Holtz if it didn't have hardware, so I added the key hole for that special touch.

Below is a 2 page layout I created. Yes, you've probably seen similar photos floating around online, as this was the Bubba Gump's dinner we attended with lots of our Cricut friends and Provo Craft's VP of Product Development, Jim Colby. We held him for ransom until he promised us a cat cartridge, so keep your fingers crossed that it worked!

Again, I've got some Tim Holtz techniques going on here. I actually used the From My Kitchen cartridge to cut the lobster and crab shapes out of Grungeboard at 3", and the "Seafood" cut was at 1 1/2". I also cut their shadows out of black cardstock. I then used the metallic pearl paint dabbers to paint my Grungeboard shapes, and let them dry.

And finally, I got to play with some alcohol inks. Oh my, those are FUN, and leave such an interesting look. They do make a serious mess, though, so I highly recommend using a Non-stick Craft Sheet - that really saved my table! Using a red paint dabber, I painted the little silver hardware tag, making sure the paint went into the recessed word. Then, I just wiped the paint off of the surface, which left the paint just in the word. And I added a Tim Holtz spinner to the Seafood cut just for a little something wacky.

I cut the journal tag out of Grungeboard - just using my paper trimmer since I needed a very specific size. This journal tag actually slides out from underneath a photo. I like to do that when I'm short on space - or when I forget about a space to journal. I used the same alcohol ink technique on the tag, but brought in more of the green tones. Then I stamped directly on top of the dry alcohol ink, giving it a nice distressed feel.

I hope you've enjoyed my take on combining the world of Cricut with Tim Holtz and stamping. Come back again soon, as I have a few more 8x8 pages to share with you in the next day or so with more of my favorite new techniques. And don't forget to visit Hallmark Scrapbook for all of your favorite scrap goodies. They rock!

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - Easter Pail

2010-03-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Today is my last day over here at HALLMARK LADYBUGS and I have really had alot of fun this week. I hope you have too and don't forget you can visit me anytime over on my blog http://www.cricutcritters.com/!

I wanted to leave you all with an easy and inexpensive project you can do for Easter... decorate a plastic pail! I purchased this on for only $1 at Michaels and used Provocraft white vinyl and transfer tape. The trim is from EASTER 2010 cricut cartridge and the image & phrase are from the newly announced NURSERY RHYMES cartridge.

There you go! Easy Peasy is the best way to go! Thanks again for having me visit and don't forget to leave a comment because I am giving away TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE and EASTER 2010 on Monday on my blog... but I will be including the comments over here in the drawing! Have a great weekend and Happy Easter too!

Scrappingly yours,

Tammy Skinner
Creative Critter

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - HELLO THURSDAY!

2010-03-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Thursday!! What does that mean in the cricut world... well, the third Thursday of each month is when Provocraft announces new cartridges, updates and more! So, Hello Thursday!!

There are TEN NEW CRICUT CARTRIDGES (click on the titles to see all the details about each cartridge!):

FULL CRICUT CARTRIDGES
Nursery Rhyme
Create-A-Critter
Robotz

SEASONAL MINI CARTRIDGES
Independence Day
Cricut Summer Vacation
Summer in Paris

CRICUT CAKE CARTRIDGES (yes, they can be used with all machines!)
Cricut Cake
Elegant Cakes
Holiday Cakes
Cricut Birthday Cakes

WOW! I am so excited about several of these cartridges! My favorite right out of the gate, is of course, CREATE A CRITTER. Now people are already saying that there are familiar images on this one and there are a few (the monkey, a mushroom and a frog)... but, I should have said 'similar' not familiar... because they are definitely different! But, even more important are the cute cute cute phrases and accessories that goes with each and every critter... and there are 50 of them!! Here is a cute little card I made with the BEAVER...

Front:

Inside:

You can see another cute card from this cartridge on my blog (www.cricutcritters.com) and a cute little lamp I decorated using the newly announced NURSERY RHYMES.

Thanks for stopping by today!! Tomorrow will be my last post here at HALLMARK LADYBUGS! It's been FUN and I hope you've enjoyed it too!

Scrappingly yours,

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - Baby Bug Easter Cups

2010-03-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Well... I have to say "THANKS!" for all the great comments yesterday! My husband and I were just cracking up all day over everyone's responses to the video on why I LOVE my GYPSY. If you didn't get to see it then CLICK HERE.

How many Personal Cricut (baby bug) owners are out there? Do you feel like you are always being left out because of size limitations? Well... take a look at what I made with my Personal Cricut and the EASTER 2010 cartridge:

Yes... that is the cute little Easter basket that I made this past Monday... but it is much smaller. Perfect for a treat cup... the image was cut at 6.5 inches on the Personal Cricut. No, that's not a typo and Yes, I know that the Personal Cricut only cuts up to 5.5"! I guess you are going to have to see yet one more reason why I LOVE my GYPSY and watch the video.

Click HERE if you can't see the video above.

Did you know that Hallmark Scrapbook offers the Gypsy for only $199! I'm just saying....

Have you had enough of the EASTER 2010 cartridge yet? Did you know that Hallmark Scrapbook sells it for only $18.99? Did you know that it is a limited edition cartridge? Hence, the date in the title.

Speaking of those limited edition Seasonal cartridges... today is HELLO THURSDAY and Provocraft will be announcing the release of 10 new cartridges today! Usually takes place sometime in the afternoon... so check back here or at my blog http://www.cricutcritters.com/ for a sneak peek at two of them! Have a great day!

Craftingly yours,

Tammy

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - Even MORE EASTER 2010

2010-03-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!! Thanks so much for blog hopping with me yesterday!! Oh, and let me apologize for the WAY too big photos! Whew! I upgraded to Photobucket Pro... well, I didn't know that meant that all my photo settings would change!! LOL! I figured it out though and swapped all the photos in each blog... so the water is safe now! hehee

I've just had so much fun this week with the EASTER 2010 cartridge! It has encouraged me to go back and finally scrapbook some Easter photos from 2008. Yippee... finished another page in that album!

Everything on this layout was cut with the EASTER 2010 cartridge except the title "EGGspert Artist"... that was cut with the GYPSY FONT and welded with my gypsy.

The cardstock I used is from K&Company and Core'dinations.

My journaling was typed on my computer, then cut (8") with the cricut for the top layer of the egg, the scalloped shadow was also cut at 8". The green egg was cut at 6" and the two photos were 4". My bunny was 2.5" and the grass is three pieces welded together with my gypsy (LOVE my gypsy!) and cut at 3" tall.

My second page mirrors the first in that I used a large (8") egg as my focal point, but this time I cut an 8"x10" photo. Again, I layered a solid 6" egg and added two 4" eggs. The floral egg on the right is an image on the EASTER 2010 cartridge, but my 2008 egg was customized on my gypsy (gosh... I LOVE my gypsy!) using the EASTER 2010 and GYPSY FONT cartridges.

I made a frame out of the scalloped egg by placing a solid egg in the center. Then used the shadow image of the numbers from GYPSY FONT to stack inside. I cut the top layer of numbers out with the gypsy and then cut & cuttlebugged the blue egg as a foundation piece.

Close up of the floral egg from the EASTER 2010 cartridge.

Added a cross and bunny... both from the EASTER 2010 cartridge.

I love the GYPSY FONT...

...love how it all comes together.

It is hard not to get too feminine for an Easter layout... I know that I used a few feminine elements (scallops and swirly font), but I think that the boyish blues help to balance it all out. My son really liked it when I showed it to him and as long as he doesn't mind the scallops then I'm happy!

I did everything for this layout on my gypsy (LOVE my Gypsy!)... did you know that Hallmark Scrapbook sells the Gypsy for only $199! Click HERE for more details. Still not sure if you would LOVE your gypsy? Then go to LOVE MY GYPSY to see exactly why I really do love it so much!

But, don't forget to leave a comment here... I will be giving away an EASTER 2010 and a TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge on Monday!

Come back again tomorrow... I'm dedicating the day those of you who own the Personal Cricut. Yep... that's you baby buggers! Oh... and tomorrow is HELLO THURSDAY for Provocraft. Wonder what new cartridges they have in store for us!?

Happy Crafting!

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - MORE Easter 2010

2010-03-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! I'm back with a cute little card that I made with the EASTER 2010 cartridge...

I used a standard A2 size card and the cute little chick (cut at 3") from EASTER 2010. The little sailor hat was made on my gypsy using the tag shadows from GYPSY WANDERINGS...

The sailor chick is pop-dotted on the card and my sentiment was stamped with a Close-to-my-Heart "Say It In Style" stamp.

I also made some really cute Easter Favor boxes with the TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge for the Tuesday Treats blog...

Hallmark Scrapbook sells the TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge for only $27.99! Now THAT'S a deal!

Here's another deal for you... leave a comment here or at http://www.cricutcritters.com/ or at http://www.tuesdaytreats.com/ or at all three to be eligible to win either a TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge or an EASTER 2010 cartridge on Monday, Mar 22nd.

Come back tomorrow, because not only do I have a scrapbook layout of my son made with the EASTER 2010 cartridge... but I also made a video of the top 3 reasons why I LOVE my Gypsy!

Have a great day everyone!

Craftingly yours,

Tammy

Guest Designer: Creative Critter Tammy - EASTER 2010

2010-03-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Everyone! This is Tammy from Creative Critters (http://www.cricutcritters.com/) and I am so excited to be back as guest designer this week! I'm going to start you off with some simple projects from the new seasonal EASTER 2010 cricut cartridge. This cartridge is a must have for your cricut library and Hallmark Scrapbook is offering it to you for only $18.99! Click here to see a preview and to order.

I will be using this cartridge alot this week, to show how versatile it is. In addition to all the flowers, rabbits, eggs and Easter sentiments, it offers a pillow box, cupcake wrapper and this adorable little basket.

My cardstock is Core'dinations (my personal favorite!) 'Love Potion' and 'Cherry Cobbler' from Basic Grey's LEMONADE paper line.

The LEMONADE COLLECTION can also be purchased here at HallmarkScrapbook.com for only $15.49...

The basket was cut first with the 'Love Potion' cardstock at 11", then again with the 'Cherry Cobbler' cardstock at the same size. I trimmed my patterned paper to layer on each side and sandwiched both handle pieces to make it more secure.

I used 'Tee Time' from the Lemonade collection for the 'HAPPY EASTER' sentiment, which was cut at 2", then shadowed twice.

My card was easy... I hate waste, so I simply used the negative from the "HAPPY EASTER" I cut for my basket. Matted it twice, added some brads to the corners and pop dotted it over a large flower onto a standard A2 size card. Easy Peasy!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I'll be back tomorrow with a cute little chicky card made with the EASTER 2010 cartridge... but I used my GYPSY to customize it a little! I will also be giving away an EASTER 2010 and TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge this week... so leave a comment and I will draw a winner a week from today! Have a great Monday!

Guest Designer: Joy from Everyday Cricut - Preserves and Just Because Cards

2010-03-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

This is Joy and my final card is made using both Just Because Cards and Preserves Cricut cartridges. One fun thing on Just Because Cards is that there is a stencil feature using all the word art from the cartridge. So, when I saw this "we're a pear" word art, I knew it would be perfect on a long card. Then, with all the gorgeous pears on the Preserves cartridge, it just made sense to cut two of those to go on the front. Viola! A card was born!

This card is sized at 4" x 9 1/4" , ready to fit in a standard business envelope. I like having standard sizes so envelopes aren't a problem.

First thing I did was cut all the layers out of two pears on Preserves at 3". I like using patterned papers in the cuts - it really adds so much. Then, to figure out how big to cut the stencil "we're a pear", I measured what distance could fit between the pears and found that to be 5". So, I pressed the "fit to length" button, dialed in 5" and cut out the stencil "we're a pear" from the Just Because Cards cartridge. Melanie, also from Everyday Cricut, pointed out how helpful the "fit to length" button is when you are making cards and she is right! I cut both layers of the stencil cut and then dialled up 1/4" of an inch to make an outline around the whole thing. I cut that in orange.

I thought it needed some texture so I ran the "we're a pear" through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots folder. I also ran the background green through the Cuttlebug with the big circle folder. I ran some chalk ink on top of those big circles to add in some definition. I love the Cuttlebug - everything look better run through it!

Finally, the inside needed a little something-something so I just added a strip of coordinating paper. By the way, the papers used are from Core'dinations, DCWV, Jillibean Soup and SEI's new Claire line of paper.

I've enjoyed my week here on Hallmark Scrapbook! Thanks for having me as a guest designer!!

Guest Designer: Joy from Everyday Cricut - Pagoda Layout

2010-03-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

Today's layout features cuts from the Pagoda Passion and Destinations cartridges. I thought these cuts were perfect for some Club Scrap paper I had from the Great Outdoors line!

This bamboo was a double layered cut (nice and easy) from the Pagoda Passion cartridge and was cut at 9". I inked it on the edges and on top.

The pandas were cut at 2". I used a white pen to make the white centers of the eyes. The white Uniball Signo ball is perfect for this!

This dragon is cut at 4 1/4" and then I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the small pebbles folder.

This China label from the Destinations cartridge was cut at 2 1/2" and has two layers. I embossed both sections using the Cuttlebug Asian bundle of folders.

Check back on Friday for a card from the new Preserves cartridge. This has been so fun!

Guest Designer: Joy from Everyday Cricut

2010-03-08T04:04:00.000-08:00

Hi, this is Joy from the Everyday Cricut (formerly "Holidays/Christmas with the Cricut") and Obsessed with Scrapbooking blogs. Today, I have two cards made using the soon-to-be released cartridges, Just Because Cards and Preserves. I had a blast making these cards and can't wait to share them with you! If you haven't already pre-ordered with Jody, now's the time because these carts are outstanding!

Let's start with the "You're Rad" card. This card was made using the new Just Because Cards cartridge. There are tons of cute images and sayings on the cartridge - really, it is so versatile! Not only can these images be used on cards, but they are great on scrapbook layouts also!

Now for some details:

Cuts:

Radishes and word art (you're rad) were cut at 4".

Shaped pieces behind the radish are found by hitting the SHIFT "radish" key. I cut the cream paper at 4 1/4" and the yellow polka dot at 4". I wanted to layer these and without a layer key for this shape, this was the next best solution.

Now, here's the trick with this cartridge. You set the card at the size you want and then you cut all the other pieces (images and word art) at that same setting. The idea is that everything is sized to fit together perfectly. For my card, only the radishes, shaped background pieces and word art were cut from the cartridge. All the layering pieces and the card itself was done by me as I wanted a bit of a different design.

The card is a 4" x 5 1/2". Paper is from Core'dinations and Cosmo Cricket. I inked all the edges with hybrid ink from Papertrey Ink. Ribbon is also from Papertrey Ink. I pop dotted the second red layer. When in doubt, try some pop dots. They always improve a project!

For the word art, I actually cut the base word art ("you're rad") two times - once in green and once in red. Then I offset the red from the green just to give a bit of contrast. The "rad" was cut once (it's a layer). I worried it looked like "bad" so I used my white pen to add some stitching, hoping that would help.

I always like to finish off the inside of the card so I inked the edges of some white cardstock and then added in some coordinating papers. The red scalloped border is from a Fiskars punch.

For my second card, I used Mini Monograms and the new Preserves cartridge.

The card is sized at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Then I sliced off two inches from one end to create a smaller section that the scalloped circle could extend out from - see below.

A quick word about the Mini Monograms cartridge: This cartridge is a secret gem! It makes the cutest monograms and shapes! Not only that, it has a number of scalloped square and circle designs that are perfect for card making. I didn't see the fabulousness of it initially, but now I am hooked on it! It's a great price right now here at Hallmark Scrapbook...just saying...

The scalloped circle, from Mini Monograms, was cut at 3 3/4" for the word paper and 4" for the teal section. I did not use the shadow feature key, although available, as I like the narrower band that cutting twice allowed.

The cherry was cut from the new Preserves cartridge at 2 3/4" and actually the pink cherry is cut using glitter paper, although the photo didn't allow it to show. The leaves are from Core'dinations and Jillibean Soup Paper. Other papers are from October Afternoon, Anna Griffin and Bo Bunny.

The sentiment and ink are from Papertrey Ink.

Again, I like to finish off the inside. It just gives it that final touch and a place to write...

Check back Wednesday for an international layout using the new Destinations and a second mystery cartridge! You won't want to miss it!

Guest Designer: Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) - Sweet Treats Basket

2010-03-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

On this project, I used the Sweet Treats Cricut Cartridge, Coredinations Cardstock, Glue Glider Pro, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder, glitter, crepe paper, decorative edge scissors, and two white brads.

I cut the party favor box (p. 50) from the Sweet Treats cartridge at 3". I also cut 2 flowers and 2 flower centers. I only ended up using one of the small circle centers.

I like to use my ruler and an embossing tool to score the lines.

I only wanted the flower on one side of my basket, so I cut the flower off on the back side.

I put this in my Cuttlebug Folder to emboss, doing one half at a time. The second half didn't fit, so I tucked the tab underneath before running it through the embossing machine.

The fun thing about the Coredinations Cardstock is sanding everything and watching the color come through. I used sandpaper, but wished very much that I had a Sanding Block!

I crumpled both flowers and sanded them as well.

I layered both flowers and both centers and then punched a circle for the very top.

Next, I used a sponge to wipe Diamond Glaze all over the flower.

Now may favorite part, the glitter! Diamond Glaze works great with glitter!

I thought it would be fun to add a frilly border to the top of my basket, so I cut about 24" of crepe paper (the kind you use to decorate for birthday parties) in half with decorative edge scissors.

I ran a line of liquid glue down the top edge of my basket and started gathering the crepe paper as I laid it down in the glue.

Then I cut a 1/2" by 12" strip of Coredinations Cardstock with decorative edge scissors and sanded it to match the basket. I glued it on top of the crepe paper, matching it up with the top edge of the basket.

I wanted to dress it up a little more (and make it secure), so I sewed a zig-zag stitch with my sewing machine all along the edge.

To assemble the basket, fold the top flap down first, then tuck the side flaps into the top.

Last, tuck in the bottom flap. If you are putting anything heavy in the basket, you can secure it with a piece of scotch tape.

This is what it should look like before you adhere the flower:

I also added an 11" by 1/2" strip of white cardstock for the handle and attached it with white brads.

It has been so fun to share my pojects with you this week! Come visit me on my blog, My Craft Spot! Thanks again Jody for giving me the opportunity to be a Guest Designer on this great blog!

Guest Designer: Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) - Sweet Treats card

2010-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Kimberly (SentimentalScrapper) here again. For this card I used the Sweet Treats cartridge, one of my favorites! The cake (p. 39) was cut at 2.5" width x 6.5" height and the cake plate (p. 42) was cut at 3.6" width x 4.3" height on my Gypsy. I used the Gypsy so I could size the cake plate to fit the cake. I love my Gypsy!

I ran all of the cake embellishments through my Xyron sticker machine upside down, then covered each piece with glitter before adhering to the cake. I used a punch for the flowers on the cake plate.

The scalloped border was made with my Gypsy. I turned the letter "D" (Jumbo font) on the Lyrical Letters cartridge sideways and welded a bunch of them onto a long, thin rectangle (from the George cartridge) until it was the right size for my card. Have I mentioned that I love my Gypsy?!

I used a striped patterned paper for my cake. (DCWV cardstock) To get everything to line up, I first cut the cake out on white cardstock. Then I removed the cut out cake, but left the 'stencil' on my mat. Next, I slid my piece of patterned cardstock in under the 'stencil' until it was lined up just how I wanted it. I removed the white before cutting the cake out on the patterned cardstock.

Now I have a cake that looks like I cut it out of a lot of different papers and then pieced them together, but without all of the work!

For the cake plate, I wanted it to look glassy, so I used my watermark ink and clear embossing powder. If I have a small piece, like the cake plate, I like to put the whole piece on the ink pad and then use the lid to press down on it. This gives more even coverage than just holding the die-cut and trying to ink it.

I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, you'll find me on my blog, My Craft Spot.

Guest Designer: Kimberly (Sentimentalscrapper)

2010-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! My name is Kimberly (Sentimentalscrapper) and I am so excited that Jody asked me to be a guest designer! I have enjoyed all of the fantastic projects on the Hallmark Ladybugs blog and I am honored to share some of my work with you. You can find more of my projects and tutorials on my blog My Craft Spot.

I will include links to all of the supplies I used in my projects that are available at Hallmark Scrapbook. First off, I bought my favorite scrapbooking tool at Hallmark, my Cricut Expression!

The first project I want to share with you is an 8x8 album that I am making for my Mom. (Shhhh . . . it's a surprise!) The word 'Jacqueline' was cut using the Gypsy font that comes with the Gypsy. The little girls are cut from A Child's Year at 3 1/2 inches.

Here are some general instructions for assembling the book: I used the Zutter Bind-it-all, the 8x8 covers, and 3/4" black Owires to make this album. I love my Bind-it-all! I pulled cardstock from my stash (mostly Cratepaper and Fiskars) and cut each page 7 7/8 by 7 7/8. Then I inked all of the edges with Ranger inks.

Hint: Do anything that would show through on the back of a page (sewing, brads, etc.) before gluing the pages back to back.

Next, I adhered the pages back to back with a liquid glue. After the glue dried, I punched all of the pages with my Bind-it-all. You will want to bind your book before adding thick embellishments to your pages.

This page is a pedigee chart. The family envelope opens to reveal names of great grandparents back a few generations. I used brads and photo turns to keep it closed. 'Family' was cut from the Home Accents cartridge on my Gypsy (width 5.6 and height 1.75).

I cut the fancy corners from the Sweethearts cartridge (p. 78) at 1 1/2". I used thick textured cardstock so I set my cricut to Speed 2, Pressure 5, and Blade depth 6 for this intricate cut.

On this page I cut the flourish from Home Decor at 2 1/2 inches.

The tag shaped pages were cut from the Tags Bags Boxes and More cartridge (p. 89 blackout). I used my Gypsy to stretch the tags so they would fit in my book just right. (width 4.0", height 7.0")

This is my beautiful mother! I tied the page with tulle and there is a tutorial for the flower below.

I cut 'Beautiful' from the Home Decor cartridge at 1 1/2" three times and then glued the layers together to make it look like chipboard. Then I coated the letters with Diamond Glaze so they would be shiny and dimensional.

I think this is my favorite page in the book. The flourishes were cut at 2 1/2" from Home Decor. I cut two flourishes and then cut one of them apart to add pieces here and there to the first flourish. The border on the bottom of the picture was made on the Gypsy by welding several scallops from Home Accents to a rectangle. There is a tutorial for the ribbon circle and for the flowers below!

First, the ribbon circle tutorial:

Cut a 7 inch silhouette circle from the George cartridge. Glue around the entire circle with adhesive and start sticking the ribbon down, pleating it as you go.

Continue around the entire circle until you get to the end. Match up the end pieces by trimming and then folding the last end under. (This would be a great spot for an embellishment!)

This is how it will look when finished:

The last step is to sew (straight stitch) around the entire circle to secure the ribbon. (You may need to use goo-gone on your sewing needle to remove any adhesive that sticks to it.)

Flower Tutorial:

The flowers were cut from the Sweethearts cartridge. For the large flower, cut two at 1 1/2", one at 1 1/4", and one at 3/4". For the smaller flower, cut two at 1 1/4", one at 1 inch, and one at 3/4".

I inked all of the flowers with Ranger ink and then curled each petal around a piercing tool.

This is what they will look like:

Put a dab of glue (Zig 2-way glue pen) in the center of each flower as you layer them together. I punched the center for the flower using a standard size hole punch.

Check back soon, I will be posting two more projects this week! You can always visit me on my blog!

Guest Designer: Monique Griffith (MonkeyDoodle Cricut) Take 2

2010-02-23T22:52:00.001-08:00

Hey, I'm back! I had so much fun with my first post that I just couldn't stay away. If you didn't catch my post from a couple of days ago, I hope you'll check it out. And you can always find me hanging out with my Cricut on my blog, MonkeyDoodle Cricut. Today I just have a fun little layout to share with you...

To create this layout, I used papers, brads and ribbon from the Imaginisce Twitterpated line. And all of the Cricut cuts came entirely from the ridiculously fun Paisley cartridge which is available at the Hallmark Scrapbook store. What a fun and versatile cartridge this is. I consider it a must-have, especially if you have girls, are a girl, or know any girls.

Whooo loves owls? Me!!! I'm hoping their wisdom will rub off on me one of these days. This cute little owl was cut at 3 1/2", and he's on page 42 of the booklet. I also cut the shadow, which puts him at close to 4" tall.

The mushroom was also cut at 3 1/2, and is on page 41. Doesn't it coordinate nicely with the papers?

Flower Power title was cut at 2 3/4" in 3 different colors, which I then staggered underneath the blue for added dimension and contrast. This cut is on page 58, and there are many more fabulous phrases to choose from as well.

The circle behind the title was just cut by using a flower center as a circle. The green was cut with Real Dial size at 3", and the white was cut at 3 1/2". And by the way, the big floral blue circle in the middle of the layout was also just a flower center, cut with the Fit To Page function on to make it as large as possible. Then I glued it to a red piece of cardstock, and hand-tore the edge around it.

I tied a faux bow on to this ribbon, and stuck a brad through it. If you don't have matching brads, you can always make your own with an i-top brad maker from Imaginisce.

A few miscellaneous flowers sprinkled about, and maybe even a few friendly rub-ons here and there, and you've got a bright and Springy layout ready to go. Thanks for stopping by again, and thanks for all of the sweet comments on my post Monday. You all really made me feel welcome, and I greatly appreciate it!! Have a happy week!

Guest Designer: Monique Griffith (MonkeyDoodle Cricut)

2010-02-21T23:22:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Monique Griffith signing in here, and I'm doing a little happy dance since this is my very first run at being a Guest Designer for Hallmark Scrapbook. I've been a huge fan of the Ladybugs for a long time, so I was thrilled when Melanie, Joy and Tammy of Calendar Girls introduced me to the super fabulous Jody at CHA.

What a true honor this is for me, and I hope you'll enjoy my projects (I might even have one more to post for tomorrow). Btw, feel free to pop over to my blog, MonkeyDoodle Cricut, any old time. I am a Cricut Designer and Instructor, and I specialize in making project kits just for you and your Cricut, so you can get to know each other better!

Oh, and just one more little tidbit. I will include some links here for any of the supplies I used that are available at the Hallmark Scrapbook store.

In a slight departure from my usual style, I wanted to do a layout in which I could explore some of the recent cartridges that have some beautiful, old-fashioned images. So, for this project, I used my Cricut Expression and the following carts: Heritage, Sentimentals, A Child's Year, and Serenade. The first three are currently available, and Serenade is soon to be released by itself (it's currently only part of a bundle).

The paper I used is all from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry line. Who else is addicted to Basic Grey? Yeah, fess up - I know I'm not alone! I picked just one of several different color palates from the line, but it's a great collection. Basic Grey tends to work extremely well for a vintage or heritage look. And because many of their patterns are on the subtle side, they mix together very nicely without being overwhelming.

Alrighty, so here's a quick list of all of the cuts I used from each of the 4 cartridges.
Heritage Cartridge:
Clock - 6" - Page 51
Accent2 (rectangle flourishes on right page) - 3 1/2" - Page 55
Journal Box - 4 1/4" - Page 60
Memories title - 1" - Page 64
Book plate frame under title - 1 3/4" - Page 64
Flourishes - 3 1/4" - Page 61

Sentimentals Cartridge:
Frame3 (photo mats) - 5" - Page 30
Lamp2 - 2 1/4" - Page 40
Chair - 4 1/2" - Page 41
Desk - 2 3/4" - Page 42
Telephone - 1 1/2" - Page 59

A Child's Year Cartridge (one of my favorites!!!):
Tea Party silhouettes - 4 1/2" - Page 67

Serenade Cartridge:
Birdhouse - 3 1/4" - No booklet, as this is a solutions cart.
Stand for Birdhouse - 2 3/4"

I got so carried away playing with these cartridges that I almost forgot to add a journal box. (Ummm, I tend to that fairly often, LOL!) So here's a little trick I keep up my sleeve - you can always hide one inside of a photo mat. Just turn your mat into a pocket. Ta-da! Kinda looks like I planned it that way, doesn't it?

And ooooh, what a perfectly coordinating brad in the center of that large flower! I actually made two of these with my Imaginisce i-top tool just so my flower centers would perfectly match my paper. How cool is that? The brad size I used is the small, which is 16mm, and I must say that I love the i-top punches. Anything to make the process faster and easier, right? The i-top, btw, is actually pretty easy to use, and somewhat addicting.

Below is a look at another project that I designed recently for an upcoming Cricut class I'll be teaching. I also have kits of this project available on my BLOG.

But I wanted to show you this project for a very specific reason - it was made entirely with the new Limited Edition Easter mini cartridge. I've been referring all of my clients to Hallmark Scrapbook for this cartridge because they have such a great price on it, and it's an adorable cartridge. It even includes a few very simple 3D cuts, one of which I'll show you in the last picture.

Once again, I used the Imaginisce i-top tool to make a matching brad. This time, though, I used the medium size, which is 22mm. I just love the look, and I love that I can get brads to match anything I want now!

Don't you just love these sweet little animals? They make me want to be a kid again! Btw, the patterned papers are from Three Bugs in a Rug, and the solids and ribbon are from Stampin' Up.

And here's the 3D Candy Box from the same Easter cartridge. This was extremely simple to make. Honestly, it would take me about 2 minutes to make another one. Gotta love it when you can make something super cute that quickly.

Hey, thanks for popping in to see what I'm doing. And a huge thanks to Jody for this opportunity!! I've got one more layout to post in the next couple of days sometime, so come back again soon!

Monique

Guest Designer: Melanie from Holidays with the Cricut

2010-01-18T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! My name is Melanie and you can usually find me over at one of my two blogs Holidays with the Cricut or Courtney Lane Deigns. I am so glad to be back here at Hallmark Ladybugs as a guest designer. It was so much fun last time, so I was so happy when I was able to do it again! Jody is just the best!

Today I have some projects for you using some fantastic products that you can purchase over at the Hallmark Scrapbook store. I will make it easy for you today by adding links to all the things you can pick up over at the store to duplicate any of these projects.

This first project is a layout I made using Sweethearts cartridge and the new Songbird cartridge. I also used Core'dinations cardstock through out this layout.

The hearts behind my title (from page 72 in your handbook) were cut at 5". The are cut by using the shift key. The the chocolate colored outline is cut by using the layers feature button and the shift key. It cuts out 7 hearts total of which I used 6. The title itself was cut at 1 3/4" from the Songbird cartridge.

The large heart was cut from page 72 as well at 5". The shadow and layers functions were used as well. 'Sweetheart' is from page 38 and was cut out at 1" and layered with the shadow cut as well.

The adorable flowers(page 73 in your handbook) which match my Bo Bunny paper so perfectly were cut at 2 1/2".

The next project is a Valentine card I made using the Love Struck mini cartridge. This cartridge is perfect for any valentine project you might have. The heart is cut out at 4".

I used my copic markers to color the clear rhinestones, so they would match the paper. That is one of the great things about the copics. You can customize your embellishments!

Valentine is cut at 1".

The last project I have for you today is a card that I made using the Labels 9 Nestibilities dies and my copic markers.

After running my nestiblity die through my cuttlebug. I left the die in place on the paper and then used my Copic airbrush system to airbrush the die. The good thing about leaving your die on the paper is it leaves that nice crisp white border around the the edge.

I then stamped and colored with my copics this adorable stamp. Then I cut it out and adhered it to the airbrushed paper. I could have avoided this step if I would have masked the area, but I found it easier to stamp on another sheet of paper and cut it out by hand.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Thanks again to Jody for allowing me to post my projects on this awesome blog!

Our SENTIMENTALS cartridge winner is......

2010-01-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

Craftymomela!

craftymomela said...

I LOVE this cartridge, Thank You for the opportunity to win. Good Luck to all

January 7, 2010 3:42 AM

________________

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Craftymomela!

(I'm sorry everyone for the late winner announcement. How 'bout we give away 2 cartridges this week to make up for it?)

Another GREAT Giveaway!... Senitmentals Cartridge

2010-01-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

Here's our next giveaway.... Check out this amazing new Cricut SENTIMENTALS cartridge

I just love this cartridge! Look at the gorgeous frames, keys, mirror, butterfly, flourishes etc....

Add a comment to this post for your chance to WIN! Good luck everyone. Winner will be announced Sunday Jan 10th. Winner will be chosen using random.com

(if you're an email subscriber and received this message in an email, make sure to go to blog to add your comment- replying to the email won't add our comment.)

The winner of the Heritage cartridge is.......

2010-01-03T22:23:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Heritage Cartridge is.......Molly Joly- Congratulations Molly!

Molly Joly said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Watch for another great giveaway tomorrow.

New Heritage Cartridge- Giveaway!

2010-01-01T11:00:00.001-08:00

Check out this fantastic NEW Heritage Cricut cartridge.

Just post a comment below for a chance to win this cartridge. Please make sure to include a way for us to contact you. Last time we had a winner. several people thought they won because all we had was a first name. (Winner will be chosen using Random.org.)
Winner will be announced Sunday Jan 3rd. Make sure to sign up for our email updates so you don't miss out on any chances to WIN!

To purchase it now on our site click here. If you're the winner and you already own it you can pick a different cartridge.

2010 will be the year of fabulous giveaways here at the Hallmark Ladybug Blog so make sure to visit often!

Cricut Gypsy Tips for New Gypsy Owners

2009-12-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello there! DeeDee here again today with a little short video for all you New Cricut Gypsy Owners. Just a few things I've learned while trying to load my Cricut cartridges on to my new Gypsy machine! Enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by today! Please ask any questions you may have via the comment section below! Have a lovely day! HUGS!

Guest Designer: DeeDee (Scrappin With DeeDee)

2009-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello there! DeeDee here! I'm so excited to be back here as Guest Designer for Hallmark Scrapbook! I'm home for the holidays! LOL! I was just so excited when Jody asked me to design for her again. Jody and Brad are the most wonderful people ever to work for! THANKS guys!

Okay, now on to my project for today! I have for you a really cute idea for the holidays. You could use this for your child's classroom goodies or maybe even just for that friend or family member that showed up at your door unexpectedly! I'm going to explain how to make a goodie bag topper and and a gift card holder/greeting card all in one.
Here's the goodie bag topper. I used only the Winter Woodlands cartridge to make this one.
If you've visited my blog lately, you probably already know that I love to create things using frozen dinner boxes. For this project I've used a Healthy Choice Cafe' Steamer Box that is green on the inside. Using the snowflake on page 35 of the manual, cut (1) shadow @ 4" from the green box and (1) shadow @ 4" from white card stock. The white one is your liner. Score both in half and fold.

Since the inside of your topper is all decorated with food and nothing too Christmasy, you'll want a liner for your box piece. Of course you can use green card stock in place of the box piece if you don't want to collect frozen dinner boxes like I do! LOL! Glue white liner to inside of the topper and set aside.

Now for the holly leaf. Referring to page 41 of the manual, cut (1) shadow @ 3", (1) regular cut @ 3", (1) shift cut @ 3" and (1) layer cut @ 3".

Apply glue and stack the layers accordingly and this is what your holly leaf will look like all finished. Set aside.

The "kisses" is just half of the "frosty kisses" phrase on page 65 of the manual. Cut (1) shadow and (1) regular cut @ 2". Apply glue and assemble. Use picture above to guide you in placement and putting all the pieces together. When you have all the details done, insert the bag in the topper, punch two holes about 1" apart toward the top center of the topper, fill the bag with kisses and then thread a 12" length of red ribbon through the topper and bag combo and tie it in a bow. The little bags I used are from Stampin Up.

Now for the gift card holder/greeting card. I used another holly leaf cut, the same as above and also added some Nestabilities circles and a few letters from Cuttin' Up. The gift card holder is the envelope from Plantin Schoolbook.
You will need (1) white card base measuring 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", (1) designer paper measuring 5 1/4" x 3 1/4", (1) green frozen dinner box piece measuring 1" x 5 1/4", (1) small and (1) medium scalloped Nestie cut from the green frozen dinner box, (1) envelope cut @ 3 1/4" from Plantin Schoolbook using the Tall Ball feature, the letters "for you" cut at 3/4" from the Cuttin Up and (1) 12" piece of red ribbon. Use the picture above for placement of each element.

This is a little video I made just in case you'd like to watch it too!

That's about all for now! I hope you've enjoyed my pictorial and will be able to try one for yourself as well. Please let us know here by commenting below if you get to make one for yourself, we'd love to see your creations too!

If you have any questions, just ask. I'd be glad to help in any way I can! THANKS for visiting today! HUGS!

Guest Designer: Melanie from Christmas with the Cricut

2009-11-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone! I am Melanie from Christmas with the Cricut. I feel so honored to be a guest designer on Hallmark Ladybugs this week! When Jody asked me I was positively giddy!

Since it is Thanksgiving week, I thought I would do some Thanksgiving themed projects. First, is this Thanksgiving double layout. What scrapbook is complete with out one, right?

This double page layout is made mostly with core'dinations cardstock. I just love that stuff!

I used the Designer Calendar cricut cartridge to cut my title(pg. 51 in your handbook) cut at
4 1/2". The turkey is from the My Community cricut cartridge(pg. 32 in your handbook) cut at 3 3/4". I also sprayed the title with glimmer mist to give it a little bit extra.

Those cute Pilgrims and Indians are from the My World cricut cartridge(pg. 31 in your handbook) cut at 4 1/4".

To get the turqoise look of the rhinestones, I colored clear rhinestones with a aqua colored copic marker. That is one of the good things about those markers! You can customize your embellishments!

Then I thought of the family members who I do not see on Thanksgiving, so this card was born. It is a regular A2 sized card. All the color cardstock used to make this card is from Core'dinations.
Also, I used the Spellbinders Nestibilities labels 2 with my Cuttlebug. Using my copic markers and my aircompressor, I airbrushed the cut piece. When doing this yourself, make sure you leave the nestibilities die in place to leave a nice white border. On another sheet of paper I stamped this pumpkin and colored it in with my copic markers. Make sure you use a heavy weight cardstock or the markers will not blend properly and you run the risk of bleeding.

To finish this card off I used a martha stewart border punch.

Thank you so much for checking out my post for today! Again, I was so thrilled to even be asked!

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

More new cartridges!

2009-11-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

How FUN! More new carts!

We've been told that we may get Paisley and Sweet Treats in February. We have our fingers crossed that Serenade will not be exclusive. We'll have to wait and see waht Provo Craft decides.

Look What's Comming! 3 NEW Mini Carts

2009-11-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Look at these great NEW Mini Carts that are expected to be available the end of December.

Mother's Day Mini Cart

Easter Mini Cart

Love Struck Mini Cart

They will be available on our website soon for pre-order. We just need a bit more info from Provo Craft before we can post them. Aren't they GREAT!!! We will have them individually for $18.99 each OR all 3 for $49.99.

Guest Designer: Joy from Christmas with the Cricut

2009-11-16T01:42:00.000-08:00

Hi! This is Joy and I am so honored to be a guest designer this week on Hallmark Ladybugs! Seeing as Christmas is a mere 6 weeks away, I thought I would do a post on how to get some Christmas cards made quickly and beautifully! Of course, I used the Cricut to maximize the beauty of the card and simplify the process!

I started with the Cricut cartridge, A Child's Year, which is fast becoming one of my most favorite cartridges of all! Then, I combined that with the new WinterSong paper line by SEI, Core'dinations cardstock, the Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots embossing folder and a quick stamped sentiment.

My goal was to create a quick design that I could replicate over and over. To make these six cards, it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes, or perhaps even shorter (5 minutes a card!). The video below will show you how to put the cards together in an assembly line fashion. Some of the steps could even be done with your kids, making it a family fun time!

If you have trouble viewing the video, click HERE!

Guest Designer: Tammy from CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRICUT

2009-11-09T01:07:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!! Happy Monday! This is Tammy from the CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRICUT blog and I am excited to be your Guest Designer with HALLMARK SCRAPBOOK today! With Thanksgiving so close, I thought I would share my WINE BOTTLE WRAPPERS that I made using TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE (TBBM) cricut cartridge and the WILD CARD cricut cartridge with my Gypsy. You can purchase the TBBM cartridge on Hallmark Scrapbook HERE for only $27.99 and the WILD CARD cartridge HERE for only $34.99! Now THAT is such a deal and let me tell you... if you don't have these two cartridges yet, they are a MUST HAVE for your cricut collection. And HERE is all the Gypsy stuff for those who are making out those Christmas lists! Just send this link to family & friends when they ask you what you want for Christmas this year!!

I am giving bottles of wine from a local winery to our dinner guests on Thanksgiving Day and instead of gluing a crafty label onto my bottle (and hiding the winery label) I made these wrappers that tie on with a beautiful bow in the back (like an apron).

First, let me show you how I designed this project using my Gypsy:

Click HERE if you do not see the video above.

I used Core'dinations cardstock for layers 2-4 and double sided patterned cardstock for the wrapper itself.

I liked the look of different frames, but this one was my favorite. The frames, Happy Thanksgiving & oval shadow are all from the WILD CARD cartridge.

The wrapper itself is from the TAGS, BAGS, BOXES & MORE cartridge

They will all look beautiful sitting on my Thanksgiving Dinner table as favors for our guests.

And because they are tied on instead of glued on, they can be re-used for future gifts of wine or saved as souvenirs for a scrapbook.

Here is a real short little video on how the wrappers are actually tied onto the bottles:

Click HERE if you cannot see the video above.

Hope you liked my project today! I love using some of the older cartridges for cool projects like this and this can be adapted for any holiday or gift just by changing the colors and sentiment! It would make a great gift for an anniversary or Christmas too!

You can download the cut file for your gypsy HERE.

Thanks HALLMARK SCRAPBOOK for having me & thank YOU for visiting! My 'partners in crime', Joy & Melanie will be guest designers in the next two weeks... so make sure you come back for their awesome posts!!

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRICUT VIDEOS

2009-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...just wanted to share my Christmas with the Cricut videos. As some of you may already know, I was chosen to be a Guest Designer for CWTC. I had so much fun making all my projects. I used my Cricut Expression, Storybook Cricut Cartridge, Winter Woodland Cricut Cartridge and Cricut Magnet Sheets......all of which can be found at Hallmark Scrapbook!!!

I wanted to take the time to say "CONGRATS" to all the HALLMARK GUEST DESIGNERS......all of the projects have been outstanding!!!!

Hugs to all, T

CHRISTMAS GIFT TAGS:

HOME DECOR PROJECT:

SIMPLE CARD MONDAY:

Guest Designer Robyn (My Pink Stamper)

2009-11-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! This is Robyn, My Pink Stamper, and I am so excited to be a guest designer over here at Hallmark Scrapbook! I feel so honored to have this opportunity.

For my project I made a gift bag for Thanksgiving using Tags, Bags, Boxes and more along with Paper Doll Dress Ups. I hope you enjoy it!!

Incredible November!!

2009-11-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Boy have we got an INCREDIBLE November lined up for you all!!

Later today- Watch for this weeks Guest Designer post by Robyn AKA the Pink Stamper! She will be giving away a Gypsy donated by us. So MAKE SURE TO VISIT HER BLOG for a chance to win.
The 3 VERY TALENTED LADIES over at CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRICUT will be our Guest Desginers for the next 3 weeks, THANKS Tammy, Joy and Melanie!! Also don't miss their "Thankful Crop" It's going to be soo much fun! If you have not seen their other live videos before then you're in for a real treat!! There will be a chance to win a lot of really great prizes. We are sponsoring a 5 (in stock) cartridges of your choice AND 2 Gypsy Shoulder totes! For more information click HERE
The last week of November we will be honored to have the return of one of our original AMAZING Ladybugs- DeeDee, as our Guest Designer! Please visit her blog to see some of her amazing projects!
Lastly- We will be having a FABULOUS contest! ................Have you had a chance to the BEAUTIFUL New Blue EXPRESSION? That will be the prize! More details soon to be posted here on our blog and on our Facebook page!

So, Check back later today to see Robyn's post.

Oh and Teri Beri is a guest designer for Christmas with the Cricut this week. She'll be posting several of her projects there, so make sure the check it out. THANKS Teri!

PART 2 OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE PRJECT

2009-10-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone...........WELCOME BACK....I hope you enjoyed my little Handmade Christmas Tree yesterday...today I am going to show you want i did with the NEGATIVE ornaments that you cut out yesterday...

HERE IS THE LINK TO YESTERDAY'S POST....

You will need:

Some type of small box to hold quarter fold size cards in...I used the Stationery Box from The Cutting Cafe...(I resized it a bit to fit perfectly)
Some pattern or plain paper to cover the box
Some Kraft paper...I bought mine at a scrapbook store..but you can use postal wrap..it is a bit thin, but it should still work...they sell this at of course the POST OFFICE and Michael's.
Some Ribbons and Rinestones..

Okay the directions for this project is quick and easy...

After making the box and or covering with some pattern paper...set that aside.

Take your NEGATIVES from yesterday and place over your pattern paper and cut out just enough to fill in the hole...adhere to the back...Next just take this piece and decorate on a card as you wish....

Here is what I did: I used some more old Basic Grey paper called Scarlet..., some red and lime green rhinestones, red and lime green ribbon and a clear scroll stamp from Basic Grey..Again the circle tag comes from a set over at The Cutting Cafe..(Christmas circle words) and the snowflake is from a set called...(ALL about Christmas)
I hope you all have enjoyed my projects and thank you again Jody for allowing me to be this weeks Guest Designer..You're the best and gosh I am so excited to have at least two things all ready for Christmas...HUGS

Re-Introducing one of our original Hallmark Ladybugs........ Regina!

2009-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

What can I say? Regina is just AMAZING! She's been published so many times I can't even keep track of them all. She designs her own wonderful printable stamps (make sure to visit her webshop Cutting Cafe'). She's the owner of the BBTB (Bitten By The BUG) Blog (make sure to visit her there too. There's lots of fun contests and wonderful prizes to win). She designs her own Pazzles cutting files too!! See I told you "amazing"! Ok, So on with her fabulous project.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS....everywhere you go..............Well at least here at HALLMARK LADYBUGS....

Hello everyone my name is Regina Easter and I am so excited to be the Guest Designer for this week....I have known Jody for Oh My Goodness almost 2 plus years...She is by far one of the most amazing, sweetest people I have had the honor of working with..She was the first person to introduce me to the Expression Machine and the oh so fabulous Pazzles Machine...every since owning these two machines, I literally use one or the other just about everyday....So thank you Jody so much for that....

Okay on to my project....As I mentioned before It's Beginning to Look Alot like Christmas here at Hallmark.......so......I decided to do a Christmas Project...this little project that I am going to show you...ANYONE can do and was really fun to do....

You will need the following basic items:

One or two of the many Christmas Cartridges...(I used the Christmas Cheer and Joys of the Seasons)
A few sheets of matching solid or pattern paper....(I used one of Basic Greys old lines..Blitzen and Dasher)
A small table top Christmas tree...(got mine from Michael's)
Some Jute..can get from a fabric store.
Some thin chipboard or heavy card stock...(I used thin chipboard)
Some matching ribbons, glitter and rhinestones and other fun lace or trimmings
Glitter paper...(I used Doodlebugs white glitter paper)
Some fabric..for the bottom of the Christmas tree pot
Christmas lights
Fabric adhesive

Okay after gathering all of these fun things, if you get a small Christmas tree, you will need to cut out about 12 to 16 Ornaments of your choice...(size is up to you, but I did mine at approx. 2.5 to 3 inches tall)..using either chipboard or heavy card stock....DON'T throw out the NEGATIVES....I will show you tomorrow what I did with the NEGATIVES..

Another optional thing I did was WELD...several circle and stars together to make a garland/wrap so to speak for the tree...

Next cut out the same ornaments using pattern or solid color paper and adhere to the chipboard cuts..

Decorate your little ornaments with rhinestones/glitter and ribbon...punch a hole at the top and add jute for a hanger..

NOW THE FUN BEGINS...

Wrap a piece of your fabric around the bottom of the tree to get a good fit an then make your own pattern....cut....Using some type of fabric glue..(I used All Purpose spray adhesive by Duro)...spray the back of the fabric and adhere to the pot...add some trimming to the top and bottom if you like.

If you want lights on your tree, add those first...

Decorate your tree with ribbons, trimmings and those awesome ornaments you just made.

Free the Tree topper, I cut out 2 stars out of the Doodlebug paper...one slight bigger then the other and then I cut a slit up one and stuck the other through it....add a few rhinestones and then used one of the Christmas circle words from The Cutting Cafe....The metal snowflake is from my stash...(smile)

Here is Mine....BE SURE TO COME BACK TOMORROW to see what I did with the NEGATIVES....something really quick and fun...

HERE IS THE LINK TO WHAT I DID WITH THE NEGATIVES...CLICK HERE

Meet another fabulous Hallmark Ladybug Guest Designer.....Arlene!!

2009-10-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

I ran accross some of Arlene's fabulous work and knew we had to have her! I invited her to be a guest designer and luckily for us, she accepted! THANKS ARLENE!! Please visit Arlene's blog to see more of her amazing work! Arlene YOU ROCK GIRL!

Hi, my name is Arlene, also known as ButterflyKisses in the scrapbooking world! :-) I have a passion for creating mini albums, but have officially been scrapbooking for nearly 15 years.I work full-time as a Project Manager for an Internet Company. I have been married 9 years to my soul mate and we have 3 beautiful little boys. My passion for scrapbooking began when a friend of mine hosted a Stampin’ Up party. I was hooked ever since and started off with making 12x12 layouts. I dabbled in card making and still enjoy making custom cards. But my true passion is for creating unique mini albums. I love experimenting with products and my favorite techniques include wet embossing, painting, ink-distressing and my new all time favorite… coloring with glimmer mist! My first scrapbooking investment was my Cricut (I have the original and have yet to upgrade to the Expression!) When I found HallmarkScrapbook.com I was instantly hooked on their wide variety of Cricut cartridges at super amazing prices! My favorite Cricut cartridges have to be the “Fabulous Finds” and “Wild Card.” They are just perfect for mini albums!

I am so honored to be guest designer for Hallmark Scrapbook this week. In this post, I will be sharing a couple of my recent mini-album projects – a Halloween Mini Album and “I am Thankful for…” Autumn Paper Bag Mini Album. Also, in a video tutorial I will also be sharing some techniques on creating custom die-cut shapes using Tim Holtz’s plain grungeboard basic sheets, available at www.hallmarkscrapbook.com.

Happy scrappin’ everyone! :-)

hugs,
Arlene

Halloween Mini Album

"I am Thankful for..." Autumn Paper Bag Mini Album, Part 1

"I am Thankful for..." Autumn Paper Bag Mini Album, Part 2

Tutorial: Creating Custom Grungeboard Die-Cuts

Paper Dolls and Copic Markers!! by Sharon Caudle

2009-10-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Sharon is an expert at colorizing using Copics. She is amazing at the Magnolia Tilda Stamps (see more of her work HERE and on her blog HERE) so I gave her a challenge to make some paper dolls and colorize them with Copic markers. WOW, AMAZING, FABULOUS is all I can say! Look how perfectly they turned out!

Thank you so much, Jody!!! Frankie's face and hands (body) were cut using white cardstock! I used copic markers for the face and hands. The clothes on this doll are colored cardstock. I used the Sizzix rubons for the faces on all the dolls.

Look how great he looks on his card! All of the cuts on this card (except for Frankie's clothes, hair, and the tree) are cut with white cardstock from Paper Dolls Dress Up, and colorized with Copic Markers. I love this method as you can add lots of shading and get it the exact color you want. I outlined the cuts with a Copic multi-liner. That gives the cut lots of definition. When I want to leave something white, like I did the ghosts, I simply shade around the lined areas with a light gray or blue color. This helps make it stand out a little more, and people won't think you just forgot to color it.

This cute little girl was cut using the new Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge. Yet another fabulous cartridge with lots of extras to play with! Isn't her pigtails the cutest?? She is cut completely in white cardstock and colorized with Copic markers. Added some little bows from twine for her pigtails.

I joined her up with that adorable puppy from the new Sweethearts cartridge. He is also cut with white cardstock and colored with Copics. The shaped card is one I created on my computer with my Design Studio Software (you could also do it with the Gypsy!!) and a combination of the Storybook cartridge and George. HI is cut with the Sesame Street Font with shadow. I used Basic Grey paper.

Look this sassy little girls belly button! How cute is that! She's actually my favorite I think. I wanted her to look sassy, so I searched the cartridges for short hair. When I saw this hair on the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge, I knew that was exactly what I was looking for! I just love how it made her look! She is cut completely in white cardstock and colored with Copic markers.

For the card, I put her in an oval cut with Nestabilites, and then added some stars from the George cartridge. The scalloped base was cut using the Storybook cartridge. I use those scalloped shapes on Storybook almost every day!

Now I would like to share some of what I've learned about Copic markers. For skin, I always use R20 for the cheeks, elbows, and knees. Or if they're out in the sun and I want that to show, I'll even use a little red on the shoulders, tops of the feet, fronts of the legs, etc. I always apply the R20 to wherever I want it to go first. I then use E02 to shadow the areas where natural shadows would fall. Then I blend them all together and finish coloring the skin with E00. If you prefer a lighter toned character, you can substitute the shading with E00 and blend and finish coloring with E000. I have not played with darker skin tones yet, so I can't help you there. If I can find something that makes me happy, I'll be sure and post it for you to see. To explain why I always lay down the R20 first, when I first started coloring, I would use the R20 last and then blend with the E00 over the top of it. This would leave a big "halo" around the cheek area, and I hated it. By using the R20 first, that halo affect totally disappears.

Now I would also like to address a statement I see soooo often. And that statement is "I love the look of the Copic markers, but they're so expensive. So I'll just continue to use my ------ markers." Ok...here's the truth of the matter. I will not dispute the fact that getting started with the Copic markers can be spendy. Let's face it, getting started with any new coloring medium can be expensive. BUT! You have to figure out your costs over time. If you use other markers, you buy them for I'm sure probably at least two dollars each. I think when I was using Zig markers, they were around 2.50 each. Even if they're only a dollar each, please hear me out. You use your marker, it runs out of ink, you throw the entire thing away and spend another two or three dollars to buy another one. This continues forever, as long as you're using your markers.

Ok, now let me explain about the Copics. If you purchase a set of Copic markers, you will need to choose which style you prefer. If you buy the sketch, they're a little spendier than the Ciao markers initially. The Ciao's run right around four dollars each, the Sketch markers, right around five to six dollars each. There is not much difference between the two. They both have the same nibs on either end. The Sketch markers offer a few more colors than the Ciao's, the Sketch markers are oval, so they don't roll on your table, and the Sketch markers have the color number on the ends so they are easily identified while stored. (A quick note about that too....you can store your Copic markers any way you want. They do not have to be stored horizontally like a lot of other markers out there). Ok, so you buy the colors you want, and you use them. All of a sudden, you're out of ink. Instead of throwing the marker away, you buy a bottle of ink to refill your markers. (it's a piece of cake to refill them - I just drip the ink into mine and I did't have to buy a single thing to do it). The bottle of refill inks are very reasonable, about the same cost as a marker. Once you reach the refill stage of your markers, you start to recoup your costs. If you're using the sketch markers, you get 12 to 15 refills from a bottle of ink. Ciao's you would get even more. That takes the cost of each marker down to under fifty cents per marker. I don't think you could find any kind of marker out there that costs you under fifty cents to buy. The nibs are almost indestructable, but if something should happen, they too are replacable! The quality is undeniable. These colors go on and blend beautifully, and will give you a coloring medium like no other you've tried. You can lay down ink onto your paper until the cows come home, and your paper will never pill or tear. Before I invested in a little bit better paper, I used to have ink go through my paper onto my table below because the paper was totally saturated with ink. But still not a bit of pilling or tearing of my cheap paper!

I love these markers, and want each and every one of you to experience the quality of them. And I don't want you to be fearful of the price. They are actually the cheapest way to go for markers, but it does take a little time for that price to average out. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me, and to take a look at the Paper Dolls I made for Jody. I hope you enjoyed them, and I hope I was able to calm some of your concerns about the markers. Please do not hestitate to contact me with any questions. I would be happy to assist you in any way I can.

Thank you again for stopping by to visit, and a huge thanks to Brad and Jody for having me be a guest designer. It is a TRUE HONOR to work for them. I have never met two better people in my entire life. HUGS!

Welcome our newest Hallmark Ladybug Guest Designer,... BellaBug- Margie Calenda

2009-10-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

How exciting is this?! I am the Guest Designer at Hallmark Ladybugs!!! Hello there, I am Margie Calenda, known to many of my blogging friends as BellaBug. So today I am a BellaLadyBug! I live in upstate NY, about an hour north of NYC. I started dabbling in card making about 5 years ago when my oldest daughter was getting married. That soon led to scrapbooking and more card making and I think everyone knows how this story ends. I have far too many products and way too little space! It seems to me that embossing is hotter than ever right now, so I chose dry embossing as my subject and would like to share a few cards with you, utilizing different products and techniques. I kept the designs rather simple, as I wanted the focus to be on the embossing.

Here we go......This first card is actually more like a postcard. It's an 4.25" x 5.5" piece of cardstock, embossed with the invitation folder from the Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 4 pack - Happy Birthday set. The cardstock is a perfect fit inside the embossing folder. Need quick invitations? Simply cut a piece of 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock into 4 equal quarters and emboss. Just like that, you have 4 invitations. The cardstock I used has a white core, so I lightly sanded around the wording and border to highlight those areas. I added some Ice Stickles to the cupcake and heart. Just a little bit to add some bling. This is such a quick, easy and fun way to get those last minute invitations out!

The next two cards feature smaller embossing folders with embossed images placed on die cut cardstock. For the first one, I used a large circle punch and simply placed it inside the folder and embossed.

For the second card, I cut the cardstock with a deckled edge Nestabilities and then embossed it with a small folder. I also used a large embossing folder from a Sizzix Hello Kitty set to create the frame for the card.

The next card is another simple, quick card. I cut the cardstock to 4" x 5.25". First I embossed the edge with a border embossing folder from the Cuttlebug With Love set. This set comes with 5 border embossing folders... perfect for cards. Then I used the small bunny folder from the Sizzix Baby Set 2. Again, I used white core paper and couldn't resist a touch of sanding. The sentiment is from the Cuttlebug Card Making Combo set "Welcome Baby".

This next one couldn't be any easier. I use these as note cards. I cut a piece of 8-1/2 x 11 white cardstock in half and score it down the center. Then I place the front of the card into the embossing folder... in this case it's the Cuttlebug Leafy Branch folder. I lightly chalked the raised emobossing to add some color and I punched two tiny holes at the base of one of the branches and tied a piece of purple floss around it. That's it!

Now on to Halloween! With this folder, you really don't need much else. I used Core'dinations Black Magic paper for the Haunted House embossed image. These papers are really neat... the front side is black, but there's a colored core. It's not showing up too well in my photo, but when I sanded the embossed surface, the light green core shows through. I added some bats from a EK Success border punch and matted it all on purple cardstock. Quick and easy!

This last one features two different embossing products. The leaf, which is a Nestabilities die was embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile folder. The mat for that was embossed with a Fiskars Texture Plate "filigree". They fit perfectly in your Cuttlebug. While these don't quite give the same deep, crisp embossing as the folders, they are handy when embossing a larger area.

I hope you've been able to pick up a few ideas. By using the die cuts in conjunction with the embossing folders it's easy to add some embossing tetxture to any of your projects. So, break out those embossing machines and start cranking!

Margie

______________________________

THANKS Margie!!

2009-10-12T10:57:00.001-07:00

CLARIFICATION: The winner is Debbie Allen!!

I'm terribly sorry to some of the other Debbie's who entered who thought they had won.

The winner is Debbie Allen of West Valley City. The only info I had to go by was her first name and Blog profile but she has been located.

Again Congratulations to Debbie Allen.

(Winner was chosen by random.org comment number 222)

2009-10-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

And the winner of the Gypsy is..... Debbie Allen of West Valley City.

Debbie Allen said...
I just recently bought a cricut and I am in heaven! (can't believe I waited so long to get one) Anyway, I would love, love love to be picked! Thanks, Debbie

Congratualtions Debbie!! Please reply at customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com with mailing address and contact information.

THANKS to everyone who entered. Keep an eye on our blog for more great ideas, info and giveaways.

Meet this weeks Guest Designer... Christina Thomas!!

2009-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

My name is Christina Thomas. I live in Dunmore, Pennsylvania and work full time as the Head of Circulation at our local library. I started scrapbooking shortly after I married my wonderful husband Scott, but didn't really fall in love with it until I purchased my Cricut. Now I'm a scrappin' machine. My favorite past time is making cards and just recently started making Mini Scrapbook Albums. I try to find time every night to sit down and create. It's a great way to end a day.

Here is a video on a card I made for Halloween. I used Cricuts "Designer Calendar" cartridge. I love this cartridge! It has so many shapes and possibilities.

Enjoy!

Christina

Christina is amazing. Just visit her blog and you'll see why I say that!!

THANKS so much Christina!

GYPSY - PART 2

2009-10-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! I am having sooooo much fun with my Gypsy. Last night I made this video showing how to load your Cricut Cartridges to the Gypsy.

Hallmark Scrapbook now has the Gypsy in stock and ready to ship so if you don't have it and want to purchase it, check out the store site HERE.

ENJOY!!

Hugs,
Ladybug T

We're giving away a GYPSY!!!

2009-09-30T22:58:00.001-07:00

Yep! That's right We're giving away a Gypsy. All you need to do to enter is become a subscriber to our blog, and leave a comment on this post. That's it! It's Easy!

I have to say I've been having a ball with my NEW GYPSY! It's the coolest thing! It's mom's gameboy. WAY TOO MUCH FUN! It's so great how you can preview all available cartridges. Even the NEW carts that haven't been released were on it when I updated it. That's right, Pagoada Passions, Old West and Dinosaur Track were all on there. I can see all the images on those carts already. (We'll have these available for pre-order). Above you can see the 2 exclusive cartridges that come pre-loaded on the Gypsy. They are Gypsy Wanderings and Gypsy Font. Gypsy Font includes a WONDERFUL Script font PERFECT for welding to make lovely cursive words! Have I mentioned I love this little Gypsy Girl? I call her Wanda (like wanderer- get it? Gypsy's wander)

YES we have the GYPSY in stock. All of our pre-orders have shipped and we have a few left. When these are gone we won't get more until mid November.

Winner will be posted Sunday Oct 11th.

GOOD LUCK everyone! (winner will be chosen using random.org)

GYPSY VIDEOS!!!

2009-09-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be making a series of videos about the Gypsy. I made the first one last night just showing all the different items included in the box. My next video will show how to upload the cartridges. It has been so much fun, not only learning this new amazing gadget, but making the videos.

Enjoy!!!

Hugs,
Ladybug T

Meet this weeks Guest Desginer Ladybug.......Kris Lancaster!

2009-09-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

About Kris...

My name is Kris Lancaster. I live in the beautiful Arizona desert. I am married to a wonderful man who has one son. We have a darling Grandson Liam who keeps us entertained and on our toes. I have been stamping and making cards for almost 20 years. When the Cricut machine was introduced I was so excited. I literally wore out my first Baby Bug and now have my 2nd Baby and the Expression. I love to combine techniques so it was a natural for me to combine my love of stamping with using my Cricut. The Magnolia line of Tilda stamps are just the so adorable and I love stamping and coloring Tilda and placing her in a scene cut with my Cricut.

In this card Tilda meets Hello Kitty.

In this next card I put Tilda in a beach scene using my Life's A Beach and Animal Kingdom carts.

In this last card I thought I'd try to give you a few quick photos of the card in progress so you have an idea of how I combine these techniques…stamping/coloring and using my Cricut. I use a fast-drying black dye ink to stamp with and I color with Prisma colored pencils. I blend my colors with odorless mineral spirits (OMS) and paper blending stumps.

I first stamp my image on smooth white cardstock (I prefer 90 lb). You only need to let it set a few minutes before it is ready to color.

I like to start with the face (usually the lightest color for me). I color the entire face with one color and then dip my blending stump (some people use cotton swabs) in the OMS and blend the color smooth.

For this example we’ll move on to the pants. First I color them with the light blue and use a cool gray on the turned up cuffs. Again, I use a blending stump to smooth out the color. Next I use a darker blue to add shading and a blending stump to ease the darker color into the lighter one – making for a smooth transition.

Here you see the entire image colored.

Most of the time I want to put Tilda into a setting I create with my Cricut so the next step is to cut her out.

This card has a fall theme. I already colored Tilda in autumn colors so I wanted to build a scene for her. I cut a brown mat for my card and used a printed-paper for the background. Of course, nothing I choose to do is ever easy so I’ll explain how I did the tree. I decided on the tree from my Stamping [Solutions] cartridge, as I like the almost bare look of it. It doesn’t have a shadow cut that is the same as the leafy branches so I had to improvise. I cut 3 trees (green, orange speckle, and brown) and combined them to achieve the look on the finished card (orange speckled layered on the green and offset slightly and then the brown – with the leaves cut off – layered onto that).

The other Cricut cuts are the apple(s) and basket from Pooh & Friends and little squirrel from the new Winter Woodlands cartridge. All were shaded with Primas and OMS. Finally I cut a little slit in Tilda’s basket and inserted 2 apples, stamped a little sentiment for the upper left corner, and then used a white gel pen to added a few highlights (apples, squirrels eye, and Tilda’s cheeks).

You can see more of Kris's fantastic work on her blog...http://www.klcardcollection.blogspot.com/

THANKS KRIS!!

Guest Designer- Teri Berrios!!

2009-09-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

You may know Teri from our former Design Team- She's Amazing! Just have a look at these fabulous mini albums she has created.

Many of you have asked about the Sizzix set that Teri used to make her Breast Caner mini album below. You can find it HERE

Love ya, T

VISIT MY BLOG TO VIEW MY WORK:

http://teriberi2.blogspot.com/

Hugs, T

VISIT MY BLOG TO VIEW MY WORK:http://teriberi2.blogspot.com/

A little about Teri:

Hello my name is Teri aka TeriBeri :o) I work full time as a real estate paralegal. I have been scrapbooking for over 5 years and started making cards about 2 years ago - to me crafting is a big stress relief. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. They love to see our family scrapbooks. Just hearing them laugh and talk for hours about the pictures is PRICELESS!!! They are the reason behind my obsession. I love to use all of the Cricut and Cuttlebug products since they work so well together. I also love to experiment with all the new gadgets that come out ~ oh this is all so addicting - but FUN!!! I look forward to making lots of new layouts and altered items and sharing them with you.
Hugs always, TeriBeri

THANK YOU TERI! We'll always love you!

2009-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Meet this weeks Guest Designer: Susie Ragan!

Susie does amazing things with her Sizzix Machine and dies using fabric. Look at this beautiful Quilt!

Below is how she did it!

__________________________

Having lots of fun with my Sizzix, I decided to make a fused art quilt - that's right, fused, with NO sewing. I wanted the project to be kid friendly, and ready to make for those with no sewing machines. I ironed a fusible web like Wonder Under or Heat n Bond to the back of my fabrics. Then I trimmed the fabrics to squares that would fit into the Sizzix machines. Next I just ran them through as you would paper. Nifty!
For the basket I fused the web to the back of the fabric and cut a "bowl" shape. I clipped it from the top edge toward the bottom to make rows of warp for my weaving, cutting almost to the edge but leaving a space so the pieces would stay together. With a second fabric I fused, and then cut strips for my weaving, over under on the first row, and under over on the next. Of course I had peeled the backing paper off after cutting. After weaving I trimmed up the edges and fused the basket to the background, following manufacturer's directions.
Then I removed the backing paper from my Sizzixed flowers and placed them on the background. Again following the manufacturer's directions for heat and timing I fused the flowers onto the quilt. Flower arranging was never so easy!
Finally I cut strips for my binding, from fabric with the fusible web ironed on the back. To cut I used a decorative blade on my rotary cutter. Then I folded the strips over the edges and ironed in place. Art Quilt, finished!

A little more about Susie:
Retired from teaching public school art, I'm a quilter, knitter, mixed media artist, mother of three and grandmother of four. I teach classes at Fringe, and was on the Accent Scrapbooking 2009 Design Team. I design quilts and quilt patterns when I'm not working on cards or altered arts, and scrapbooking. My style? Eclectic! I like it all!!

THANKS SUSIE!

Our Guest Desginers receive a $75 gift certificate to use at our online store. So come on join the fun and submit your work to us at customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com

2009-07-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hallmark Scrapbook is pleased to announce our NEW Hallmark Scrapbook Ladybug Guest Designer opportunities. A NEW guest designer will be chosen each week.

Please submit 4 projects that use 1 or more of the items that we sell at http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com/ to customerservice@hallmarkscrapbook.com

If you are chosen to be a Hallmark Ladybug guest designer you will receive a $50 gift certificate for use in our online store on anything you'd like. We will also post the chosen design here on our blog, on our Facebook page and in our Photo Gallery and ask that you prepare a list of items you used that we sell in our store and a "how to" description of any great techniques you used to create your project!

Good luck to everyone. Feel free to tell all your friends.

Easter Gift Cantainer

2009-03-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

I was gone this weekend visiting my dad in Idaho having a scrapbook weekend with the girls!! We had SO much fun... but I forgot to get my project posted on time so here it finally is! Sorry for the wait... I hope you enjoy!

After washing some strawberry's last week, I was getting ready to throw the container they came in away, then took another look at it. I though it would be perfect to make a little Easter gift container out of it. So I saved it and whipped this up on Saturday during my girls scrapbook time. It didn't take very long to make, about as long as it would to make a simple card! You can get really crazy with it if you wanted to!! :)

This is what I used
that you can get right at HallmarkScrapbook.com:

- Storybook Font Cricut Cartridge
for the word and shadow "EASTER"
- Jasmine Cricut Cartridge for the word "happy"
(which is on sale for $29.99 right now!)
- Diamond Glaze on the word "happy" for a little shine
- Stickles on all the white brads.

I used some paper cut-outs that my sister Kendra made, who is also a graphic designer like my husband Julio. The little chick, the bunny, the word "bunnies", and the word bubble was from her cut-out sheet... SUPER cute!!

You can see the Diamond Glaze better here...