Blue Christmas

Happy December.  Where in the world did the year go!!!  I propose we start 2014 all over again, and of course get a redo on some of the things that we wouldn't want to see again.
It's time again to start making those Christmas Cards.  fun fun fun!  This week I started with a few challenges to direct me..first off from Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog use no red or green.  So here's the card for my first challenge. I also adhered to the rules about using at least one Cricut cut...so trusty George and his shapes came in handy.

Isn't it beautiful!?  Then I started playing around a bit more with the Ornamental Pines stamp set with my next challenge from Sparkle & Sprinkle ~ use glitter, flocking or embossing.  I embossed the card above and the card below has glitter.  Along with some major masking.

 Here's a close up of the pine cones that were fussy cut and propped up a bit with some dimensionals.

 and glitter.

I had loads of fun with this stamp.

 And lastly I entered in the Simon Monday Challenge Blog and created this Christmas Card.

 Pretty cute, huh.

So that's it for today.  Time for me to start putting some of these cards into their envelopes.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.
Thanks for stopping and sharing you with me.
m

Flower Cart Gift Box plusTutorial

 I've received quite a few requests to post the directions for a flower cart that I had posted a few years ago.  The original instructions are in Russian, so with permission from Nadia, the original creator, I have done a tutorial in English.

Isn't it adorable!  This would be a perfect Mother's Day gift.
Here are the two templates you will need to create the cart/wheelbarrow.  The measurements are done in centimeters.  The dash lines are for folding ~ solid lines for cutting.

  

1. Cut out the templates ~ I've used Kraft paper for the large parts of the cart and a few layered pieces of thin cardboard for the handles, the wheel and the legs. I'm using some of Nadia's original pictures because she does a fabulous job recording the steps.
Here you can see all the cuts that are needed.  (My top cover is a bit different than hers)

2. Score on dotted lines, fold and glue to form empty cart.

3. Score and fold top piece of cart and adhere to the inside to create a flip up top. You can cover the inside if you'd like.

 

4. I ran all the extra smaller bits of the cart through my Big Shot using a wood grain folder from the Paper Studio. I cut some of the longer side pieces to create varied lengths of 'wood'.

5. Ink all the edges. I used Tim Holtz frayed burlap distress ink.
6. Add 'nail heads' using a brown marker and glossy accents..

 7. Put together the handles by inserting a brad through one of the handles then into one of the circles. Repeat with the other handle and wheel. Then sandwich a third circle inside so the prongs of the brads are not visible.
8. Glue the handles and legs to the bottom of the cart using the extra 'planks' as cross pieces to hold it all together.

 

 

 

Now for the flower filling :-)

1. Use Cricut Expression, cut out a nice bunch of flowers. I used a cut from the Cricut Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge. I also cut out some leaves using a punch from Martha Stewart called Leaf Fronds.
2.Use an embossing pad and tool and along with some well placed pencil lines, create some dimension to the flowers and fronds.

3. Adhere some of the flowers to the base top along with a ribbon to use as a pull for the top.
4. Trace the top of the flower cart to make a green base to match the leaves.  Cut two of these out.
5. Attach loads of flowers to one of the green pieces and then curved it to appear that the cart will look full.  I added rubber from a negative of a Stampin Up stamp set to give it some lift. It's always fun to find use for things that you keep for no apparent reason.

6. Attach the curved green base to the flat green base then glue onto your flower cart. You can see here how I created the illusion that the cart is overflowing with flowers.

 

Just keep adding flowers until your cart looks full. Isn't it beautiful!!

I hope my tutorial wasn't too long and that it was easy to follow along.  Please let me know if you create a cart, I'd love to see it!
ta ta for now,
Michelle

challenges:
Simon Says Stamp
Exploring Cricut
Die Cuttin Divas

Here are some pictures of my original cart and the link to the wonderful Nadya Mu-Ha from Russia