ContainYa Crafts Blog: October 2010

Non-Traditional Halloween Banner - Guest Bogger - Jennifer, The Cricut Diaries

Non-Traditional Halloween Banner
Video Instructions Too!!
By Jennifer, The Cricut Diaries

Hi, I am Jennifer from Cricut Diaries, and I wanted to make something a little non-traditional. So I made a Halloween banner. It is non-traditional because of the colors! It would also make a great fall banner if you didnt want to use the word BOO, just change it to FALL or put leaves, pumpkins...etc. To make the banner, this is the supply list.

3 different colors of card stock. ( I used 1 pattern paper, 2 solid papers)

Country Life, SongBird, Once Upon a Princess carts ( can be subsittuted if you dont have those)

Tim Holtz distressed ink

Adhesive

Embellishments

ribbon

gypsy( still do-able with out a Gypsy)

Directions: Cut 3 banner flags at 10.5 inches. Cut 3 banner flags at 8.5 inches. Cut Lettering at 2.5 inches, shadow and regular. Cut solid squares at 3.5 inches ( this is what I put my lettering on) Then ink all edges. Layer them together, add flowers, pearls, or what ever embellishments you want. Thread ribbon through banner, and its done! I used my gypsy to hide the contours on the banners, but if you dont have one, you can still just cut the banners out because after you layer everything, the shapes on the banners will be covered up!! Thanks so much for looking!!

Guest Blogger Laverne Gordon - A Crafter's Haven

A Crafter's Haven

Throwback Thursday Challenge with Emma- Sports Theme

By Laverne Gordon, A Crafter's Haven

It feels like forever since I've had time to just scrap...I think I was going through withdrawal...lol.

Since this challenge was a sports theme; I just had to do it. Our nephew not only plays but is addicted to basketball. He loves the Lakers especially Kobe hence the colors, so this gave me an excuse to make him another card.

Cartridges used: Sports Mania- background with stars, All Star and Trophy (popped up). Martha Stewart: glitter- trophy followed by Glossy accents and Screw Punch- hole punched All Star & background. I went over the entire stars background with chalk ink.

I challenged myself to go outside of my norm for this card. For example I don't think I've ever inked the whole background on a project. The MS Screw Punch I thought it was something I would never use and even planned on returning...but found I really liked the look it gave my project and how easy and simple the tool was to use.

So basically I've said all of that to say don't be afraid to try new things you might be pleasantly surprised what you end up with! Hope you like...would love your feedback!

Check back soon for more Learn from Laverne.
PS...there's still time to enter to win the Cricut Imagine; Don't miss out click here!

Word Art Within Cricut Shapes! - By Guest Blogger Jamie Cripps, Bits Of Paper

Bits Of Paper

Word Art Within Cricut Shapes!

By Jamie Cripps, Bits Of Paper

Have you ever wanted to put text within a shape on your projects? Well, today I am going to show you how to do it using a Cricut image as shown in my card!

To do this with a Cricut image you will need:

Cricut Design Studio

Paint

Inkscape

Open Design Studio and select the image you want to work with. Make sure you have the proper size already designed. Once you have the image, go to 100% view and then click preview so that it will show in color:

Take a screen print of this image (Alt+Prt Sc or Fn+Prt Sc)

Open Paint and choose paste then crop around the shape and choose copy:

Open Inkscape and paste image.

Select the image and from the Path menu, choose Trace Bitmap. Choose to trace by Color and take the Scan down to 2. Make sure to remove the background as well.

Click update and then okay then close the trace box. Separate the two images and remove the original.

Next, choose the text option and type your text, grabbing the font and size that you would like. If you are repeating your text, you will need to type the text over several times. In this example I am using the sentence “There is no place like gnome.”.

Once you have your text typed, go back to your Select and Transform arrow (F1) and select your text box and then while holding the shift key, select your shape.

Go to the Text menu and choose Flow into Frame.

If you aren’t happy with the text, click undo (Ctrl+Z) and edit your text (center/change font/add more, etc). Once you have modified, select both the shape and text again and use the Flow into Frame option again.

Once you have the text as you would like it, you can change or remove the image color. Select the image (in my example, I am currently a purple shade) and then choose a color from the color bar. You can also change the color of your text by selecting the text and then choosing a color from the color bar.

Here I have change my image to white and my text to brown.

You can select both items again and move them around on the page, and then print!

TOILET PAPER ROLL MINI By Guest Blogger Rachel, Back Porch Creations

Back Porch Creatons

Toilet Paper Roll Mini!!

By Rachel, Back Porch Creations

I am so very excited to be a guest blogger at Scrap'n Tote. I have decided to make a mini album.

Since the holidays are right around the corner I thouhgt that this toilet paper roll mini would make the perfect gift for family. I have 3 boys so I will be making one for each, here is my first completed album, oh did I mention this is my FIRST mini!!

You will need at least three toilet paper rolls but can add more if you like. You will need to flatten your rolls and crease them with a bone folder. I found that if you leave them under something heavy for a night that really helps.

I then measured my rolls and took a piece of cardstock and cut it the roll height + 1" and then cit it 2x roll width + 1" it should look like this:

I added adhisive to one side of the roll and placed it on my cardstock. Next I cut 4 slits at the corners of the roll. I then placed glue on the larger flaps and tucked them inside the roll. I finished taping the paper around the roll and tucked in the 2 smaller flaps.

I repeated this for all of the rolls. I then punched a hole at the bottom of each and added a medium sized eyelet. I decorated each with corrdinationg paper and embellishments. I cut the tags from Tags Bags Boxes and more and decorated each. I plan on adding pictures and journaling to each tag. I looped my rolls on to an old key ring I found and then added some ribbon to it. I hope this has inspiered you to make your own.

other carts used: Lacey Labels, Boys Will be Boys, Gypsy font, Nursery Rhymes, Calligraphy Collection.

Cricut Imagine - Baby Boy Card By Guest Blogger Laverne Gordon - A Crafter's Haven

A Crafter's Haven

Cricut Imagine - Baby Boy Card

By Laverne Gordon, A Crafter's Haven

Wow...I can't believe it's been this long since my last post. It's amazing how fast time flies!

This is my very first project with my Imagine. It's a very simple card using one of the test cuts from my previous post (waste not want not).

Cartridges used: Wall Decor and More- sentiment & Imagine- Nursery Tails- front image. Cuttlebug for embossing- swiss dotts folder, goggle eyes to enhance frog (front). Martha Stewart Punch on corners, stamped baby rattles (inside). Supper simple card...hope you like. It was fun experimenting with the Imagine. I have found a new best friend.

Would love your feedback.

Over 5000 Members and 22,000 Blogs - TheHive Reaches New Milestone

Join Us In The Hive

Over 5000 Members and 22,000 Blogs - The Hive Reaches New Milestone
BY: CreatingTheHive on Oct, 18, 2010 at 2:49 PM

October 18, 2010 - TheHive, an arts & crafts social media network has just reached a major milestone in less than four months of operations. Growing by over 5000 members and 22,000 blogs, TheHive is quickly becoming one of the top ranking social networks for the arts & crafts industry. Unlike other crafty networks, TheHive spans all mediums and is both fun and educational for professionals, hobbyists, manufacturers and retailers.

This free network is quickly becoming a hub of activity because it helps connect the Creative Industry. Marlo Letterle, entrepreneur and inventor of Scrap ‘n Tote, a specialized organizational system for the widely used Cricut Cartridge system, says, "The Hive is my new addiction! It doesn't add to my waistline, or empty my wallet. I am privileged to get in on the ground floor of a new and unique social networking site made just for us crafters and craft business owners. The points system is pure genius! The Hive site navigates easily and is a must for craft business owners. Blog, tweet or post to Facebook . . . the Hive has it all and more! I feel like a kid in a candy store! Thanks Creatingthehive.com. You nailed it with this site!"

Crafters who sell their wares online at retail establishments like Etsy and Artfire have found TheHive to be a vast resource of new consumers, who become loyal buyers after they have the opportunity to meet and connect with the artist. Donna Dolci Cooper, doll maker extraordinaire, wrote in one of her blogs titled The Perks of Being a Hive Member, "Since the day I joined the "HIVE", I have had a steady and SOLID increase in views at my Etsy shop. I have also had a huge jump in the percentage of new visitors coming. I would on an average day have 12% of new traffic....now it has risen to a steady 40%-60%. After all....if people aren't looking at what we are selling....how could they ever buy it? I woke this morning to over a thousand views on my shop from yesterday........ So I ...and my dolls say ...Thank You to the "HIVE""

As a self-initiated way to support each other, Hive members created the "hive member" tag to add to their online retail stores. This allows them to feature other Hive members in their treasuries - adding additional benefit to the connections built at the site. Others have created "Facebook Follow Fridays", "#twitterbees" as well as Hive member only discounts, specials and contests.
Membership to this unique community is free and content is generated easily by members through its RSS feed - offering significant additional exposure to member's current blogs with a simple one time cut-and-paste profile setting. Aggregate content, additional sales and a fun sense of community is what makes TheHive such a hit. It is no wonder membership has been skyrocketing and why TheHive is all the buzz in the Crafting Industry.

**TheHive, http://www.creatingthehive.com/, is a dynamic social community designed to help provide a connection between everyone in the arts, crafts and hobby industry. Whether you are a manufacturer, professional artist, hobbyist, retailer or consumer, you have a voice. By providing a place for everyone to grow, build a community of like inspired enthusiasts and connect creators to consumers our hope is that we continue to strengthen and grow the industry as a whole. To contact us directly email creatingthehive@gmail.com **

Tags: artfire, arts & crafts, craft & hobby, crafts, etsy, hobby industry, thehive

Groups: Hive Member Press Releases, Your Craft Business, New Bees, Selling Crafts on the Web, Home-based Arts & Crafts Business

Monster Mash Blog Hop!! By Guest Blogger Jenny Johnson

Welcome to the Monster Mash Blog Hop!!

By Jenny Johnson, CrazyAboutCricut

Hi Everybody!

I hope monsters don't scare you, because you will see a lot of them here!! Thank you for joining me and 10 other spook-taculary talented ladies. Here are the Monsters Mashing with us:

http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/ *YOU ARE HERE*

http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

http://neverfullpricescrapbooking.blogspot.com/

http://almabrooksblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.staceyscreativecorner.blogspot.com/

http://thescrapoholic.blogspot.com/

http://www.scrapbookaholic.blogspot.com/

http://dreamofcrafting.blogspot.com/

http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/

http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/

http://www.scrappingsweets.blogspot.com/

There is something for everybody on this hop, no matter what kind of machine you have! Ok, so on to my project!! My oldest daughter actually came up with this idea. She wanted to have a countdown calendar like the ring one that she makes at school for Christmas. I thought that was a great idea, but decided to put the Cricut twist on it. So here's what I came up with:

*Mini Monsters cart (all the monsters)

*Happy Hauntings spooky font (title)

*Martha Stewart paper

*My and My Big Ideas stickers

*bling from stash

*white ink on edges

*black rafia

*glue dots

*Bind-it-All machine

*black 1 1/2" O-wire

*crop-o-dile (punch hole to hang from)
*My Gypsy!!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf_QSiNwnI/AAAAAAAAA8A/YKcFpwQdm7w/s1600/001.JPG

*The Halloween was cut @ 3.35"

*Countdown was cut @ 1.70"

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf_bH8Kq_I/AAAAAAAAA8E/Lj8ksuKLJIY/s1600/002+(2).JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgDbZPMVTI/AAAAAAAAA88/zyomAvOwxz8/s1600/012+(2).JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgDjNxvT9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/smFAOU8vlnU/s1600/013+(2).JPG

*To attach the rafia loop, I just put one end of the rafia in the middle of a glue dot. Then I spread out the other end and stuck that to the glue dot. When I spread it out, it covers the glue dot so the back won't be sticky.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgDqOyYrmI/AAAAAAAAA9E/2MNNxqr5uJg/s1600/006+(2).JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf_kJQCVQI/AAAAAAAAA8I/hR7XL7iPXPs/s1600/003+(2).JPG

*I bent the wires by hand, because I wanted some monsters higher than others.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgC4gQZMRI/AAAAAAAAA84/xQAp8Jod4Vw/s1600/014+(2).JPG

*Now enjoy the monster parade!!

*(All monsters cut @ 6".)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf_qZJ30bI/AAAAAAAAA8M/jeE8URVX4UY/s1600/004+(2).JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf__A3qMOI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/BrAiuQNoJFA/s1600/007+(2).JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLf_xDwornI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/BTi52sieWM8/s1600/005+(2).JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgAFHA6OjI/AAAAAAAAA8c/nDobMjUEPlg/s1600/008+(2).JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgALrojcBI/AAAAAAAAA8g/VQWDllYB-VE/s1600/009+(2).JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgARzHmZjI/AAAAAAAAA8k/KT-r9dwaa1o/s1600/010+(2).JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgAYe7aNKI/AAAAAAAAA8o/3qDjKNMiZdc/s1600/011+(2).JPG

I hope you enjoyed my project!! I only made 7 monsters, but I think for next year, I will make 31, one for each day. You can also write a halloween tradition, or activity on the back of each monster. Then you can do that activity that is on the back of that monster. Great family bonding time!!

*********Don't forget about the GRAND PRIZE!!***********

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEswZJrcCzI/TLgHXxloEzI/AAAAAAAAA9I/OJ-lU1T6-64/s1600/Scrap+â€˜N+Tote.bmp

Marlo from Scrap ‘N Tote has generously donated one of these awsome storage systems for you Cricut carts! These can hold up to 36 cartridges, and they can store the handbook, overlay, and cartridge together! Sarah at Pink Cricut did a video showing all about this product. Go to http://www.pinkcricut.com/2010/10/scrapn-tote/ to view it. Thanks Sarah!! You can also go to their website at http://www.cricutcartridgestorage.com/ for more info. If you decide to purchase one, be sure to use the code IHEARTSCRAP'NTOTE to get 10% off!! (She is also having an Imagine giveaway!! Be sure to enter for that!) To be entered for this fabulous grand prize:

*Please leave ONE comment ON EVERY BLOG IN THIS HOP.
*I'd love it if you also decided to become a follower.

The winner will be chosen with Random.org, and will be announced on Oct. 21st.

ETSY WIDGET! THIS IS A GOOD THING!!!!

ETSY WIDGET!
THIS IS A GOOD THING
By Marlo Letterle, Owner, Scrap'n Tote

I do not use Etsy for my Scrap'n Tote. That is just not the right place to market for me.

This evening I accidently ran across an Etsy widget on a blog that I thought was very, very cool. Many of you who use Etsy may already know about this but I thought I would blog about it just i case there is anyone out there who could benefit from this.

The widget for Etsy is offered by Craftcult. I looked at the Craftcult site briefly, but it looks like this widget can be placed on your blog etc, and users can scroll through and look at all your merchandise that is for sale and purchase it . . . all through this widget. This is very cool. I don't know much else about it but it looks like it is free. I do know this . . . if I was selling on Etsy I would want this baby on my blog.

I know I have not discovered the invention of the wheel, but I hope this blog helps someone who sells on Etsy.

You get several colors and styles to choose from. Here is a copy of just one of them.

Marlo Letterle

Owner, Scrap'n Tote, A Cricut Cartridge Storage System

Boo!!!!! Whoooooo's Ready for Trick or Treating? By Guest Blogger K Andrew Designs

Boo!!!!! Whoooooo's Ready for Trick or Treating?
With Step-By Step Video Instructions!
By: K Andrew, K Andrew Designs

Hello all you creative Scrap N Toters! K Andrew here from Getting Cricky! I just absolutely love Owls. I wanted to make a cute Halloween card that featured my favorite bird! This card was designed using the gypsy, but can easily be made using your expression, Imagine, or baby bug--as nothing is welded or changed!

I do have a video tutorial on my blog if you want to hop by and see it! Have a Sp-hoooooo--ky and Sweet day!

www.kandrewdesigns.blogspot.com

all the cricky best-

kandrew

Cricut Cartridges Used:

Straight from the Nest (Owl, Scallop, Circle)

Superman (Glasses)

Happy Hauntings: Boo, Witch boots, Witch hat, pumpkin treat bucket

Other Ingredients:

Bazill textured cardstock: brown, orange

Smooth cardstock: black, yellow (Michael's)

K&Company Halloween papers: Orange swirl, candy stripe, candy dots (in the new Halloween paper pad)

XLG Halloween Brads: K & Company

Enamel pumpkin charms (ebay I'm pretty sure)

Green grosgrain ribbon or Green felt ribbon (Michaels)

Purple with yellow side stitch ribbon (Joann's--craft essentials)

Owl Face Stamp (Peachy Keen medium critters faces)

Measurements: All in RELATIVE size mode--Please adjust sizes accordingly to your liking

Card 4x5.5

Papers 3x5.5 (dots) stripe 4x5.5

Scallop: 2.75"

Circle: 2.5"

Owl: 2.5"

Hat: 2"

Shoes 1.25"

Boo: 1"

Glasses: 1"

Pumpkin bucket: 4.5"

All the best-from my hands to yours,

K Andrew of K Andrew Designs

Pink Cricut - Scrap'n Tote Cricut (Imagine) Cartridge Storage

Pink Cricut - Sarah Hamer

Have you heard?

Scrap’n Tote is now going to be available in PINK!!
By: Sarah Hamer, Pink Cricut

And, Enter To Win A Scrap'n Tote &
A Cricut Imagine! See Details Below!

I saw these at CHA in the summer–and thought they were so creative, innovative and a perfect storage solution to my cartridge library!

Here is my video–showing you up close, how it works–and what it looks like!

Also, you can enter to win your very own Scrap’n Tote here at the Pink Cricut!!

Winner can choose Pink or Green!

Aren’t you lucky!

The winner will be drawn on Friday along with the Preliminary Scrapbox Winner.

All you have to do is–

1. Leave me a comment telling me approx. how many cartridges you have to put in the Scrap'n Tote.

2. Hop on over to Scrap'n Tote Blog, www.ScrapnToteBlog.com, and show them some love by folllowing and entering their IMAGINE GIVE-A-WAY - Yep, you heard right-they are giving away an Imagine!!