MEFY Color Combo Challenge

Happy fifth Monday! Fifth days of the month only happen about four times a year, but when they do, they sure throw off our monthly challenge schedule! Any time there is a fifth Monday the challenge at Made Especially For You will be a color combo challenge. I absolutely love color combos and have a whole board (almost 700 pins!) filled with them on my Pinterest, which you can see by clicking here. I find them so fun to work with!

This week's challenge is to create a card inspired by the provided color combo:

I'll admit this was a tough color combo for me to work with! I had no problem finding solid colored papers to match these colors, but I had very few patterned papers that matched this combination. Here's what I came up with:

I paired together some polka dot papers and embossed the rectangle behind the 'HELLO' with my Cuttlebug to give it some texture. I used a corner punch on the blue cardstock and then embossed it with the flower and went over the embossing with a white gel pen. Added some pearls and I was done!

The winner of this week's challenge will receive their choice of three sets of images from The Cutting Cafe, not to mention a one-week guest designer position here at MEFY!

Stop by the Weekly Challenge page to see some more inspiration from the design team!

Ashley

The Letter of the Day Is E!

Every Monday at My Cricut Craft Room there is a "Letter of the Day" segment where design team members create a project using a Cricut featuring something that starts with the letter of the day. Today's letter is 'E' and what better to represent 'E' than an elephant?!

I cut the elephant from the Create a Critter cartridge at 2.5" and created some handmade flowers with a flower punch, tacky glue, and buttons. I punched the 1" flowers out of yellow cardstock and layered them on top of one another while folding the petals in towards the center to give them a layered look, and used buttons for the centers. I don't make handmade flowers too often because it can be pretty time-consuming but they do add such a great touch to a card!

Stop by My Cricut Craft Room to see what other 'Letter E' projects the design team has made!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ashley

Do You Speak Cricut Saturday - Sweethearts

Welcome to this week’s edition of Do You Speak Cricut Saturday. Every Saturday will feature a different Cricut cartridge review from one of the Made Especially For You design team members. This feature was added to the blog in order to give potential cartridge buyers a better idea of what each cart has to offer. Click here to view last week's Designer's Calendar cartridge review.

Hello everybody, I'm Cyndy from Arcy Scraps! This week, I'm going to share my review on the Sweethearts cartridge. I think this cartridge is an oldie, but a goodie! I think it has something for most types of projects, not just romantic/love themed!

Here's a look at what this cartridge has to offer! Don't be fooled, it has more cuts than these shown!

One of my favorite things about this cartridge is that you can use the images for different types of paper crafts. For example, it has many phrases that can be used on cards, layouts, mini albums, and other projects! I cut some of my favorite phrases for you to see!  

Other cool features this cartridge has are the card, envelope, and tag features which cut the main image in a silhouette style. You can see examples below, all with different images of course. 

I cut the envelope a little small, but you get the idea :-) 

Here are two cards I made using this cartridge. The scalloped heart image is the same, but the phrase is different and it gives the cards a totally different look! 

Again, although it's an older cartridge, it still has many great cuts and features! I think it's definitely a must-have for your collection! :-)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Olympic Blog Hop

Welcome to the Olympic Blog Hop!

Thank you for joining us on the beginning of what should be one of the best Olympic years for the U.S... We hope you will find some inspiration to cheer on our wonderful USA olympic athletes!

I was a last-minute addition to the hop and decided to whip up a simple Olympic banner! To make the banner was really easy, all I used was my Cricut and the Elegant Edges cartridge to make the rings (if you look close enough you can see the slightly scalloped border) and added a couple of white bows (one of which is slightly lopsided, it wouldn't behave!) and actually tied it to a white shoe string for a more athletic feel. I like to think of it as a crafter's take on the Olympic symbol. :)

I pinned it on a bulletin board to take the pictures but I think it would make a great fireplace mantel decoration or even a great decoration for a classroom. 

Your next stop is Erica's Blog Candy! Here's the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Erica - http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/
Jessica - http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com/
Wendy - http://Createyourclassroom.com/
Anita - http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/
Blog Candy - http://ericasblogcandy.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for joining us!

It's A Dog's World, After All!

Lol, I couldn't help but hear the tune of "It's A Small World" when I started typing 'It's A Dog's World' as the title of my post, and added the 'After All' just for kicks. :) Anyways! 'It's A Dog's World' is the theme of this week's challenge at Digi Haven!

Use any FREE dog digital image. The image can be a forever freebie, limited time freebie or freebie of the month as long as it’s free for the duration of this challenge. Many of the sites we list on the Free Digi's tab have really cute "dog" images. Be sure to check them out. Please be sure to link back to the original artist or website on your blog.  This challenge ends on Thursday and the winners will be posted on Sunday.

I found this cute teacup pup here on the ScrapHappy Paper Crafter website.

Stop by Digi Haven to see the other design team member's dog-inspired cards and even enter your own card featuring a freebie dog digi into this week's challenge - you might even make the Top 3!

Have a great weekend!

Ashley

Stamping with Dragon Sketch Challenge

Stramping with Dragon is having a sketch challenge this week! One lucky winner will receive four images of their choice from Dragons Lair Designs if they submit a card inspired by the following sketch created by Tams, a former Stamping with Dragon design team member.

I love sketch-inspired challenges because half the work is already done for you! Sometimes one of the hardest things for me is to figure out the layout of the card I'm making and with sketch challenges all you have to do is figure out which papers and embellishments you want to use that will fit the sketch.

I pretty much stuck to the sketch with this card with the exception of using a heart instead of a circle. Sometimes I alter the sketch a lot and days when I'm not feeling too creative (which I haven't been lately, although I think it's starting to come back!) I like to stick with the literal sketch. I used the Penny Dragon In Heart image and colored her with my Prismacolor pencils. She's so cute! The patterned papers are from the Recollections Bold Basics stack and I used the ribbon, rhinestones, photo corner, and brads from my stash. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ashley

Thursday Craft 'n Chat - Creating Your Own Embossing Folders

Welcome to this week’s edition of Thursday Craft 'n Chat. Every Thursday will feature a different crafty tip/technique from one of the Made Especially For You design team members. Click here to view last weeks tutorial on how to save paper using your Gypsy.

Hi everyone this is Robin from The Cricut Scrapper. I love adding embossed images to my cards, but if you're like me you don't have alot of money to spend on all of the awesome embossing folders they have. So, I have a money-saving tip for you! I am going to show you how to make your own embossing folder out of things you already have at home :)

First, just grab any kind of chipboard/cardboard you have laying around (pizza box, cereal box, etc.)

Then, take one of the cuttlebug folders and trace it onto the box. Or just make a 4.25" x 11" rectangle, and cut it out..

I then scored it at 5 1/2 ".

After that I took my Gypsy and picked out a duck border that I thought was cute :P

If you don't have a Gypsy you can use any kind of die cutting machine to cut out a shape or just trace a border or random shapes (like stars or circles etc.) onto the chipboard and then use your craft knife or scissors to cut them out :) 

Once the shapes are cut out I put glue onto the shapes while it was still on my Cricut mat and then folded the top onto the cut out shapes and applied pressure until the glue was dry.

Next, lift the top up and you have your image to emboss on the top, with the opening on the bottom of the folder. I have it flipped over on this picture to show you the image that is glued to the chipboard.

When I put it through my embossing machine I used a cuttlebug folder and another piece of chipboard to give it some thickness, because it is pretty thin by itself.

Here is the cardstock after I embossed it...

How cool is that! Now I can make any kind of embossed image to coordinate with my main image on my card and for practically nothing...just things I have around the house (I am kind of a pack rat hehe.. I am always saving my pizza boxes, and cereal boxes :)

 Okay, now on to the finished card

I tried to angle it so you could see the image....

(if you click on the picture you will be able to see the embossing on it better:)

I added the duck from Wall Decor and More a border strip from MS under the embossed image that I made and then added a bow and the sentiment and my card is complete.

I hope I have encouraged you to try making your own custom embossing folders. I know that I am going to make several more.

(:(:Smiles:):)

HUGE Giveaway at My Cricut Craft Room!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share with you a HUGE giveaway Erica is having at My Cricut Craft Room. There's too much being given away for me to even post it all - the value of everything being given away is over $500!

There are a TON of ways you can enter the giveaway!  Click here for all the details about what's being given away and how you can enter to win! :) 

Easel Card Challenge

Happy Monday! It's time for another technique challenge here at Made Especially For You! We've tried out a lot of different past techniques these past few months and this week we're trying out a technique we haven't had as a specific challenge yet - easel cards! The challenge is to create an easel card. Anything goes as long as your card is an easel card.


I love easel cards because they're a fun twist on your standard rectangular/square card. They're super easy to make and are a great way to give some dimension to your cards! I created this cute and simple easel card using my Cricut, (with the Elegant Edges and Stretch Your Imagination cartridges) my Cuttlebug, (with the D'vine Swirl and polka dot embossing folder) and patterned paper from Recollections along with some ribbon from my stash.

Our sponsor this week is the wonderful Paper Piecings by Nikki! One lucky, randomly winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to her store!

Stop by the Weekly Challenge page to submit your easel card to this weeks' challenge and see what inspiration the design team has for you this week!

Ashley

Do You Speak Cricut Saturday - Designer's Calendar

Welcome to this week’s edition of Do You Speak Cricut Saturday. Every Saturday will feature a different Cricut cartridge review from one of the Made Especially For You design team members. This feature was added to the blog in order to give potential cartridge buyers a better idea of what each cart has to offer. Click here to view last week's Hoot 'n Holler cartridge review.

Today, Pam from Scrappin' Fab Pam is going share with you her review of the Designer's Calendar cartridge.

I think this is my most used cart. My sister, our friend, and myself use these every

month to make our new, monthly scrapbook page. It has been really fun creating for not 

only myself, but matching ones for them.

. 
With two different fonts and coordinating shadows, you don't have to limit yourself to just calendars - the creative possibilities are endless! The overlay sheet is easy to use and gives you the option of making up to an 8" calendar grid, and also the months and days of the week. It also includes coordinating images for major holidays throughout the year. I have been using this cart for over a year now and have found NOTHING that I do not like about it. Let me show you some of the calendar pages I have created...

What we do is make the calendar page and then send the remaining scraps along with each other so we can all coordinate the matching page with some of the same colors and patterns. The middle photo is for June, I did both sides since the other two didn't have the dies or the right colors to match, so I gave them both sides. 

Like I said, I really love the cartridge and if you're a scrapbooker who likes to keep track of the months you have done things, this is a perfect way to do it. I hope that you enjoyed my designs enough to inspire you to go out and purchase this cart. :) Have fun!

Pam

Scrappin' Fab Pam

Fanciful Fairy

It's all about fairies this week Digi Haven! This week's 'Fanciful Fairy' challenge is to use any FREE Fairy or Winged Cherub digital Image. The image can be a forever freebie, limited time freebie or freebie of the month as long as it’s free for the duration of this challenge.  Please be sure to link back to the original artist or website on your blog.  This Challenge ends on Thursday and the winners will be posted on Sunday.


Although I think fairies are beautiful, I had never used one before on a card. As a kid, I was never into the super girly stuff such as fairies, princesses, etc. I much prefer the cute, cartoon-like fairies such as Tinkerbell versus the more elegant, vintage/shabby fairies, simply because cute and fun is more my style than shabby. That's why I chose to use one of Elizabeth Dulemba's fairy images for this week's challenge:

I colored the fairy with my Prismacolor pencils and paired her up with some fun, winter-themed paper and added some sparkly snowflakes in the corners of the card. I accidentally printed her a bit too big and decided to make her the main attraction of the card rather than pairing her with a lot of embellishments. She's also propped up with some pop dots. :)

Stop by Digi Haven to see what other fanciful fairies the design team used on their projects for this week's challenge!

Ashley

Stamping with Dragon Christmas in July Challenge

It's Christmas in July week at Stamping with Dragon! This week's Christmas in July challenge is sponsored by Whoopsi Daisy. One lucky winner will receive a prize being given away by them!

Whoopsi Daisy was generous enough to provide the design team with a set of images to use on our challenge creations. I chose this sweet, little Christmas fairy all snuggled inside a stocking. :)

I colored the image with my Prismacolor pencils and added the lace at the bottom because it reminded me of snow. :) I wasn't sure how this card was going to turn out at first, but even though it's fairly simple I really like it!

Stop by Stamping with Dragon to see what Christmas the creations the design team has made for you and even submit your own card!

Ashley

Thursday Craft 'n Chat - Save Paper Using Your Gypsy

Welcome to this week’s edition of Thursday Craft 'n Chat. Every Thursday will feature a different crafty tip/technique from one of the Made Especially For You design team members. Click here to view last weeks tutorial on how to create an altered coaster banner.

Hi everybody, Susie here from Susie Craft Happy! Welcome to another Craft n' Chat Thursday!! Okay, I'll admit I had my Gypsy by Provo Craft for at least a month before I attempted to use it.  Once I sat down with the handbook, I found that the gypsy is one of the best tools for getting the most out of each sheet of cardstock you cut.

I'm in a monthly card group so I create cards for 5-10 people every month and getting the most out of every sheet of paper is key.  Using my gypsy I'm usually able to cut all of the images I need with one 81/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock.  Here's how...

Number of cuts per sheet depends on desired image cut size.

Using my gypsy to turn images in different directions I'm able to add several more cuts to this 6x6 sheet of cardstock.  This saves time and money!  The rotate feature on the gypsy allows you to place your images at different angles which allows more cuts per sheet and saves cutting time. 

This allows me to get any mass production project I have done in no time at all. 

Using your Cricut alone requires time to rotate your mat or even use more paper just to get the same amount of cuts and you're left with odd-sized scraps.  I try to leave myself usable scraps. Made Especially For You Design Team member Eileen tells us how to make the most of our scraps in a previous Craft n' Chat Thursday, you can view it here.

Well, that's it for me today and I hope you found this useful and hope you will give the Gypsy rotating feature a try, you'll find it will save you both time and money.

Create a great day!!