Card Challenge, Post 1: George and Basic Shapes

Ok so I mentioned that I'm going to be doing a series of posts on three cards you can make from one Cricut cartridge. Some of them will be easy, like today's featured cartridge (I'm going to post a few more than three actually....this is one of my favorite cartridges to use for cards. More on that later.)....others, well, I might have to get creative. Like, here's-a-card-for-Arbor-Day creative. We'll see what happens.

Here are the rules I am setting for myself:
1. Use scraps when possible.

2. Everything on the card must come from the featured cartridge...NO cheating.

3. I cannot use the "card" function that is one some of the cartridges. While this function can make some super cute creations, for my purposes that's cheating.  For example, this is not allowed (but seriously, HOW CUTE ARE THEY!?!?! These are from the card function on Stretch Your Imagination).

4. I can use any embellishments I have, utilize the Cuttlebug, and use my rubber stamps as well.

So....let's get started. Here is the list of cartridges I'll be going through:

Yep, that's 21 cartridges!! I left out two of the font cartridges I have because there's literally only fonts on them....and that would be a really boring card. Plus, I wouldn't be able to turn out three of them. I also left out two Solution cartridges because there is not enough on them to make a card with, much less THREE cards. Maybe I'll do a post on using them to make gift tags or something....we'll see. In the meantime, let's dig in to the first one up to bat: George and Basic shapes.

This cartridge comes with the Cricut Personal Cutter. And, while it IS basic, I use it for EVERYTHING. It's my favorite Cricut font, and it's super versatile! I've used it for birthday cards, wedding cards, anniversary cards, Christmas cards, thank you cards, and graduation cards. The font is both playful and elegant, so it's perfect for just about anything (I did a vinyl project in our old church's bathroom with it....we put "LOVE", "LIVE", and "LAUGH" on the stall doors in the ladies room. ADORABLE!!). Also, I've made some serious banners with this font, thanks to the shapes and the "slot" function. Even if this is the only cartridge you have, you are UNSTOPPABLE.You just need to creatively think about how you use it sometimes, such as using the shadow function if you need a larger shape or want your font bolder.

So, I'm going to post three layouts and some other cards I've made from this cartridge.

Card #1:

This card is roughly 6"x4" (I suggest getting a box of invitation envelopes from Wal Mart or something. They are cheap and the perfect size for making cards). Using the tag shape on George, I cut the tag at about 3.5". I cut a strip of complimentary red paper at about 1.5" wide, then cut a "thanks" out at 1". Cut the end of the strip in a 'V' shape, and paste those suckers down to your base. Add a small bow (made from a spool of $1 ribbon), and you are done. How cute is this?!? And it is definitely all-purpose for any occasion, just pick your paper to reflect what you want it used for (ie Christmas papers for Christmas cards). You can swap out the greeting, or use a rubber stamp instead of the "thanks"....you can run the tag or the strip through an embosser...the possibilities are ENDLESS!! Here's another card in the same template with a different look entirely (on this one, I ran the base paper through my Cuttlebug first for some texture):

Both of those were made from scraps leftover from other things. Seriously people, SAVE YOUR SCRAPS.

Ok....card #2:

So for this one, I used a pre-made blank card that came in a pack of 8 from Michaels' $1 rack. I dug out complimentary scraps, and cut four 1" squares. I cut 1" strips of ribbon to glue vertically on each square, then tied another piece into a knot and glued on the top of the squares. They look like cute presents!! Then using a stamp, I put "happy birthday" on it. This would be a super cute Christmas card as well....just change out the papers, ribbon color, and little greeting. It really doesn't get easier, and it's so cute!

Card #3:

So for this one, I took white card stock and made 6"x4" base cards. I then cut purple cardstock into slightly smaller rectangles and ran them through the Cuttlebug. Using scraps (monochromatic ones at that!!), I cut one 2" circle (the darker purple dot paper), one 1.5" circle (the dark plaid one), and then the other scraps were cut at 1". I arranged them in an overlapping design. Using a $1 spool of ribbon I wrapped it around the purple rectangle, tied it off with a button, and then glued it all down to the white card and stamped the little "thanks" on it. EASY! This is one of those that have literally limitless possibilities....for example, here's the same concept with different features:

 I didn't emboss anything for this one. I just used some crazy paper.

Different stamp for this one, and arranged vertically instead of horizontally, and no button. Honestly, it doesn't matter how many circles you have, or even the range of sizes you cut, just remember to use odd numbers (which I didn't for this one....oops!) :). This format would make cute Christmas cards, cute birthday cards....again, just change out the papers and little greeting on it.

Here are some others I've made with this cartridge. I encourage you to take advantage of that tag function too....it makes for a seriously easy and cute card.

1.5" rounded squares, 3-1" squares, stamp in the fourth, and then the dotted line around the edge with a gel pen.

1" Balloons in a variety of papers, ribbon, and stamped greeting (the stamps came from Michaels' $1 card rack that they have near the front of their stores. LOVE that rack!).

1" hearts in a rainbow of colors....stamped greeting...the only thing I wish I'd done differently on this card is cut white cardstock for the clouds and glittered that instead of just putting the glitter on the card directly. That would make it stand out more. Oh well....next time!

One of my go-to wedding card designs....cut the rounded rectangles out (one at 2.5", 2", and 1.5"....or whatever sizes fit your card base best), run them through the Cuttlebug, and embellish.

Ok....last one, I promise:

I made this for a friend who just needed some encouragement. I used the shadow function to cut out the white tag at 3.5", and then the regular mode for the pink tag....stamp a greeting on it...add flowers (just a simple little bow would be cute too) and you are done.

I hope you see all the possibilities that this cartridge has. It's my favorite, as you can tell (I have more cards I've made from it, but this post would never end if I posted them all!!). I actually did not have to make cards for this post specifically since I have so many I've already done....this is not the case for all of the other cartridges!  Also, as you can tell, I don't always strictly follow my rules of card making (specifically, the odd-number rule), but they come out cute anyways. And most of these don't take up a ton of time to make....it usually takes me longer to pick out the paper I want to use than it does to cut the shapes and put it together. And if you don't have tons of embellishments available, or no Cuttlebug, that's fine....these cards turn out cute anyways!

I'd love to see what you've done with this cartridge....post some pics!

Sola Deo Gloria!

New Look, Same Great Blog

Soooo I got bored and re-vamped the blog format. What do you think? I loved the old format, but I wanted something bright and fresh and vibrant. This is the result! I also changed the name of the blog from Smittie's Kraft Kamp to The Charm Smith. This was due to my next announcement...

I have some exciting news: I've opened an Etsy store! YAY! People have been telling me I should do that for a long time, so I finally caved. It's called The Charm Smith. So far I have three postings, but I'm working on making more items so that will be remedied soon I hope. I only have a few wine charm sets up currently, but I'm also going to develop a Christmas ornament, greeting card, and gift tag section soon. If you'd like to check it out, you can find me at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCharmSmith. So if you need a cool gift for someone or want to spoil yourself, head over and check out my selection. Again, I'm adding more items soon!

Finally, if you want to follow me on Pinterest, my username is aasmittie (http://pinterest.com/aasmittie/boards/). I have a board linking to my blog posts and Etsy store items, so that's a quick way to find them too.

Also, quick life update: I'm all graduated! Well, technically not until the end of August, but I've completed all degree requirements, and as of tomorrow I'm officially a paid marriage and family therapist at my agency! WOOHOO!! Still loving it and so excited to start my professional career.

I'll be posting some more craft posts soon. I have a giant stack of Cricut cartridges in need of more use, so I'm going to start doing posts on one cartridge at a time....how to make three cards from each one or something like that. It will force me to use all these cartridges I've purchased and help fill upcoming needs for birthday cards and the like! :)

Sola Deo Gloria!

Dish Towel Cake Tutorial

I'm going to a bridal shower this weekend, and I decided to make a dishtowel cake as my gift. I've made these a few times before; they are so much fun and very easy to make. It's also a much more fun way to give items like place mats, dish towels, and cloth napkins as gifts. You can decorate them in any theme....the bride's wedding colors, colors fitting the shower theme, colors matching items on the registry. For this one, I went with colors that match their registry theme. You will need four place mats, a table runner, a pack of six cloth napkins, and three flour sack towels for the layers, and silk flowers, ribbon, and whatever you want to put on the top of the cake (I have a letter for the top for the bride's soon to be new name). You will want wire cutters, scissors, and maybe some floral wire or tape (I don't always use it, but it was helpful for this one because I used longer stems). I started out with this:

And ended up with this:

Here's how:

It takes quite a few dish towels to make something like this, so I usually use a set of four place mats, a table runner, and a 6-pack of cloth napkins, along with a 3-pack of flour sack towels. I just found that to be a bit more cost-effective.

I got both the napkins and the flour sack towels at Cost Plus World Market. The awesome thing about the flour sack towels is that they come in packs of three shades of the same color, so it gives an ombre effect to the cake.

For the cake base, you will want a dinner plate (I usually get a plain white one at the Dollar Store) or charger and a bottle of something....I usually use a nice bottle of wine, but the couple I made this one for aren't wine fans so I got a nice bottle of sparkling cider from Cost Plus. Just a tip....white wines tend to make the best centers for the cake because they are fatter bottles. Any bottle will work though. Anyways, center the bottle on the plate or charger like this:

I don't usually anchor the bottle to the plate, but you could do that with some glue dots if you wanted to. Anyways, you will also want a pack of colored paper clips, a bag of mixed size rubber bands, and safety pins or straight pins (I usually use straight pins, as they are more discreet, but I'm out of those so I used safety pins). You can pick up all of those items at the Dollar Store.

Next, take your place mats and table runner (or towels or napkins) and fold them so they cover about 1/3 of the bottle height (the bottom layer will probably be a bit bigger than 1/3 of the bottle...that's totally ok). If you need to safety pin them so they stay folded better, go for it.

Wrap it around the bottle as tightly as possible, and then rubber band it in place.

You will need progressively larger rubber bands, which is why the mixed bag is perfect (smaller ones are great for diaper cakes....which I will post about in the future!). Anyways, wrap all of the place mats/table runner/whatever else you are using around the bottle until it is the width you want for the bottom layer (I usually fill the diameter of the plate or the center of the charger). By the way, you will want to stagger the "seams" so that you don't end up with a giant bulge on one side of the layer (see picture). Once you are done with wrapping the first layer, double rubber band around it to keep it secure.

It's ok if it's not perfectly round; for one thing, I've never been able to get it to be perfectly round, and for another in the end it kind of evens out....you'll see.

Next you take a flour sack towel and fold it to match the height of the layer.I usually put the darkest color towel on the bottom, with the lightest on top....this gives it the ombre effect. Anyways, after you fold it, wrap it around the layer as tightly as you can.

Paper clip it in the back (which will be wherever the seam ends up being) and then smooth out any wrinkles. If there is excess on the bottom, tuck it under the layer (you'll notice that the layers rotate around the bottle and can lift up, which is helpful for making it look polished).

 Start adding your next layer (I used the cloth napkins for this one). The bottle I used narrowed significantly and wasn't as tall as most wine bottles, so I folded one around the narrow neck first and then wrapped the rest of them around it. Also, I found it helpful to paper clip the seams of the napkins as well as rubber banding it.

For the top layer, I did not have much bottle left to work with, so I found it easiest to just roll up the last flour sack towel and stick it on there.

At this point, I rotated the layers so that the seams were all in the back. I did have to safety pin them, but I usually recommend straight pins. However, this will probably just sit on the back corner of a table, so I don't really care about the safety pins.

Now it's time to "frost" the cake!

Take your ribbon and cut it to fit your layer. You can put it anywhere on it you like....for this one I put the ribbon on the center of each layer. I safety pinned it in the back (to the flour sack towel) so it held in place.

I also added a bit of blue twine over the ribbon to tie into the bride's wedding colors:

You'll notice each layer isn't totally smooth and wrinkle-free; it's ok to have wrinkles. It's a cake made of towels after all! :)

This is the best part now....time to add flowers! I always just buy silk flowers from the Dollar Tree. They usually have a decent selection of colors and flowers and you can't beat the price! I usually have lots leftover too that I end up using for other projects (the flowers in my spring apothecary jars were leftover from a towel cake!). Anyways, I was going for a sort of country-foresty feel, so this is what I picked up:

This is the part where I just experiment with the flowers until I'm happy with it. I used the wire cutters to trim the stems, and the floral tape to hold a few of the bunches together. Once you have your flowers cut, just stick them between the towels and tweak until you're happy with them.

Remember, odd numbers are ascetically more pleasing to look at, so that's a good rule to keep in mind (and I just realized I need to add one more to the bottom bunch to fit the rule!).

Finally, time for your cake topper. I found a camo-covered "S" for the top, which fits perfectly with the couple :). I taped a large popsicle stick to it to make it stand up, and then tucked it into the top towel layer. I then arranged a few more floral pieces around it until I was happy with it.

Here's the finished product:

I always make a mess when I make these! :) Also, here's what the back of it looks like, so you can see all the pins and such:

Here's a few other towel cakes I've made. The pink one was the first one I ever attempted; I didn't use towels for the outside, but cut fabric to cover the outside. I think the flour sack towels are easier.  The first one is also comprised of mostly dish towels, which was just crazy to put together. The second one I actually cut the "S" on top out with my Cricut and covered it in glitter; that's another way to make this a less expensive project.

So that's it. Pretty easy...really it's just about tweaking until you're happy with it. I'd love to see pictures if you make one yourself....so please share! :)

Sola Deo Gloria!