Cheetah Print .22

Hello! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! 

I always love the Holidays. I am also always very thankful when they are done so life can get back to normal...if there really is such a thing. 

My daughter Kylah got a .22 for Christmas this year. My husband bought the pink one for her, but we decided to give it a make over. Here's a before picture

I personally LOVE pink, but Kylah's favorite color is green. I wanted to put some kind of design on it for her.(I got the idea of painting the stock from Tam Tam...a lady in The Cricut Design Space Facebook Page) So I sat down and went to Pinterest. I did a search for painted gun stocks. Kylah eventually sat down next to me and was looking at them with me (not knowing what I was really looking for) We came across a purple cheetah print one that she fell instantly in love with. Later I showed my husband and said "I can totally do this!" I was so excited! 

Andrew (my husband) took the gun apart for me and I got right to work.

I found the cheetah print cut file on the Cricut Image Set Boho Graphics Iron on. I cut it out on Oracal 651 vinyl and placed the center of each spot on the stock. (some of the spots are not a complete circle so I used an x-acto knife to complete the circle. I hope that makes sense.) 

The monogram came from Miss Kate Cuttables in a set with the entire alphabet in caps.

Once I had all the vinyl on, I hung the stock in the garage and spray painted it green. It took several layers of paint.

Once it was dray I carefully peeled the vinyl off which left pink spots everywhere. (I'm sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this step) Some of the paint did come up with the spots, but that didn't matter to me because I was out lining each spot with black. 

I outlined the monogram and each pink spot with black paint by hand. I used the finest paint brush I had to do the monogram. An even finer paint brush would have been better (which I got for Christmas)

Once it was all dry I put a protective coating on, let it dry and then Andrew put it all back together. I love how I get to do the fun stuff and he does the necessary work stuff. I'm kinda spoiled =)

Kylah loves her new gun! 

Thank you for stopping by Toadally Love To Craft! I hope you have been inspired.

The Cutting Cafe Gift Bows

Oh my gosh!!! Only 4 more days until Christmas! Are you ready?!?!?

No?! Still have wrapping to do and you've run out of bows!?!  Well, The Cutting Cafe is here to help! Regina has created a file so you can make bows yourself. 

This was the first time I had ever made my own bows...and let me tell you it is SUPER easy and tons of fun. I loved being able to choose different papers for each bow that I created. 

I used my Cricut Explore to make these bows, but you can also cut them out by hand. 

The Cutting cafe even has a gift bag file! This file is perfect for ANY occasion. The gift bow file and the Christmas tree shaker card were the perfect files to make my bag Christmasy. I decided to play with this file a little in Cricut Design Space and shrink the file to make a small bow.

It worked perfectly! After cutting the strips I embossed it with a polka dot folder

and then added glitter glue to the dots. 

I used the bows I made for this assignment to decorate the gifts my Girl Scout troop bought for a girl they adopted for Christmas through a local organization. The Girls saved $200.00 out of the money they raised selling cookies to adopt a child and buy gifts for other teens in the program.

Here's a picture of the girls with all the gifts they bought. 

Along with the purchased gifts are a couple I made a couple gifts I made for Rose (the girl we adopted). A canvas...

and a decorated clipboard. (Rose's favorite color is black)

On Saturday Dec. 13 the troop delivered their gifts to the Special Santa's Workshop

and volunteered for two hours filling "wishlists".  I am SUPER proud of them for all their hard work!

Make sure you stop by The Cutting Cafe and leave a comment on the design team inspirational post on the 7th and 21st of every month so you can be entered in a chance to win 3 free files of your choice. 

Thank you for stopping by Toadally Love To Craft! Have a Merry Christmas! 

Shake It baby, Shake It!

Shaker cards are my new favorite thing! Regina over at The Cutting Cafe has created the cutest shaker cards EVER!! I have three of them to share with you for our DT inspirational post today. 

The first card I made is the Snowman Shaker 

The snowman is the cutest! This file comes with accessories to decorate your snowman to your liking.  I decided to use a piece of scrap denim fabric for his hat and scarf, his nose is a carrot button that I had in my stash, and the snow flake that I used is from the Cricut Image set Winter Lace. I filled my shaker with Microbeads. (I didn't even know there was such a thing until recently) I embossed the snowman's tummy with a snowflake folder from Darice and then lightly inked the raised flakes. The snow on the ground and the shovel is dimensional paint that I got at Micheal's. I really like the added dimension the snow gives my card. 

The 2nd card I made is the Snow Globe Shaker.

I love this file because you can use so many different pictures for your background. You could even use a family photo! The super cute image I used is a digi stamp from ppinkydollsart. It was given out in a fabulous Facebook group I am a part of  called Chic Craftique. I am still learning to color with Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers. I must say I have a LONG way to go! Lol. The snowflake on this card is from the Cricut Image Set Snowflake Flourish. The shaky part of this card is large glitter from Martha Stewart. You can find it at Micheal's. The sentiment comes with The Cutting Cafe's Christmas Word Shaped Shakers. 

And the 3rd card (my favorite) is the Mitten Shaker

I found a super tiny snowflake punch at Target which was prefect with the micro-beads for the shaky, shaky insides. 

I got to use a super fun new tool for this card!

A ribbon curler! I didn't know these existed either!! Can you tell I'm learning a ton? I'm sure my husband would like me to stop learning so much so I stop buying so much. Lol! 

I am hooked on these shakers! 

You can find the files I used here. You can buy the set of 8 or you can buy each file individually. 

Make sure you stop by the The Cutting Cafe and check out the awesome projects from the rest of the design team on the 7th. If you leave a comment you will be entered to win three free sets of your choice.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and the love you leave in your comments. I enjoy reading every one of them. 

Happy crafting! 

Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations

GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

Are you ready?!?! Thanksgiving will be here before you know it!
If you need some inspiration head over to The Cutting Cafe for this weeks blog post.
The design team is featuring three files that are sure inspire you.

Happy Thanksgiving Word Shaped Card
Turkey Shaped Card
and
Thanksgiving Day Printable Stamp Set

 This year we will be having 19 guest for dinner. With us that makes 25! 

I made invitations for our dinner this year. Aren't they just the cutest!?!

To make these, I used the Thanksgiving Day Printable Stamp Set from The Cutting Cafe and the Gobblers file from Kadoodle Bugs Designs. 

I got the step card cutting file from a Facebook group that I am a part of...Cricut Lovers Guide To Design Space. It's a great group to be in if you have a Cricut! The file was created by Narelle Darley. 

I got the foil leaves from Target in their dollar bins. I love them! I think they'd look great in a shaker card. That's a project for another day.

I used a Ranger Perfect Medium brush marker to shade the turkeys body and feathers. It was the first time I had tried this technique. I have to say that it is much faster than chalking. However, I like the look of chalk better. 

Thanksgiving Day Printable Stamp Set comes with several different stamps to chose from. 

You're sure to find one that suits your needs.

Be sure to stop by The Cutting Cafe on the 21st and check out all the projects from the design team. If you leave a comment you will be entered to win 3 free files of your choice. 

I hope you all have a safe, fantastic Thanksgiving. Thank you for stopping by! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges

Top Tip Tuesday 

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Home For The Holidays

It's inspiration time over at The Cutting Cafe! Today we are showcasing The 3D House Set. I had soooo much fun putting this "Holiday Home" together! 

Something I love about the files at The Cutting Cafe is that they are so easy to put together. I had this house completed in just a few hours. The 3D House Set comes with everything you need! Doors, windows, trees, a wreath, and sentiments. I made a Christmas themed house, but you could make one for any occasion.  

Once I had the house together I cut extra sides out and embossed them with a snowflake folder from Darice. I inked the flakes with Tim Holtz vintage photo distress ink. It gave my home the perfect vintage look. 

I used fake snow that I purchased at Walmart for the snow on the roof and the tree. I used cotton balls to make the snow on the ground dimensional and then topped it with the glittery snow. 

My awesome husband made the sled and snow shovel for me out of wood scraps. Aren't they just the cutest!?! I love it when he helps me with my projects =) 

My daughter Kylah saw me putting Santa in the chimney...she suggested that I keep the chimney cap on the roof and that I make a bag for Santa. Her suggestions were perfect! I made the bag out of fabric scraps. 

This tree comes with The 3D House Set. I added circles cut out of different green patterned papers. I used Tim Holtz vintage photo distress ink on the edges of the circles. To make the tree sturdy I cut it out of chipboard and then again in brown paper and glued them together. I found the mini Christmas light garland in my stash. I have had it for years...I don't remember where I got it. 

One of my favorite features of this house is that the roof opens up. I can't wait to fill it up with all sorts of goodies and give it away. 

I had a hard time getting a good picture of my house. My husbands next project is going to be building me a light box! That way I can get some good pictures.

This project is one of my favorites! Hope you all have been inspired =) Remember to leave a comment over on the inspirational post at The Cutting Cafe on the 7th and the 21st of every month...that will enter you to win 3 free sets of your choice from the online store. 

Thank you for stopping by Toadally Love To Craft. I appreciate all the love and comments that you leave =)  Happy crafting!

A Perfectly Imperfect Christmas Card

Do I have you toadally confused with that title? I will explain...

My Mother-In-Law, Linda, and I had a great relationship. She was more than my Mother-In-Law, she was my friend. We liked to tease each other...a lot. Whenever I would show her a project I was working on she would glare at me and tell me "you're so perfect!"  "Everything Tina does is always so perfect!" I'd say "Whatever!" and we'd  both laugh.

 About 4 years ago I decided I was going to make her a teddy bear. We had just found out that we were expecting baby #4 and I wanted to give her the teddy bear holding my first ultrasound picture as a Christmas gift. We thought that would be the perfect way to announce our pregnancy to her. The teddy bear turned out super cute! I'd say PERFECT. Until I realized that I had sewn the paws on the wrong side. Lol. I decided to leave it that way knowing she would appreciate my imperfection. Unfortunately, I was never able to give her the teddy bear. She passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 11, 2010.  

This is a picture of the bear. We named it granny bear. I will eventually give it to Echo (the daughter I was pregnant with while making it).

Okay...Now on to my imperfect card! I created this card for the Chevron challenge going on over at Top Tip Tuesday. It's my second entry for their challenge...you can find the other one here.

The images are from the following Cricut image sets...

Tree - Teresa Collins December 25th

Christmas gifts - Winter Frolic, Christmas, Disney Pooh and Friends.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks Vintage Photo and Barn Door.

Looks good right?

Here's the imperfection...

Yes! I am that big of an airhead! I put everything on upside down! Lol! 

When I realized I had done that I smiled, thinking of  Linda laughing. 

This one's for you Linda! I'm showcasing my imperfections =) I miss you tons! 

Thank you all for stopping by Toadally Love To Craft! I hope my imperfect card has made you smile too. 

Hugs,

            Tina

Chevron and Prima Dolls

Today's post is for a challenge at Top Tip Tuesday. The theme for the challenge is CHEVRONS. 

To be honest, when I first started seeing the chevron pattern coming up everywhere I did not like it. 

It has toadally grown on me and is now one of my favorite things! It's a great pattern to use for any occasion. Today I used it to make a pretty birthday card for a very special little girl...my niece. She is turning 11 next month. 

The Chevron paper I chose is S.E.I  Kraft Basics brand. I picked this up at Michael's. It came in a book of 24 sheets of different patterned foil papers.

I chose to use the Prima Doll Cassandra. The crown is very fitting for a birthday princess =)

I colored her and the bow for her dress with Copic Markers, fussy cut, and then cut her dress out of pretty pink paper. (here's the Copic Markers I used)

The flowers and the doily (Martha Stewart products) came from our local stamp store. I find new and exciting things every time I go in there! 

Aren't the flowers just gorgeous!?! 

The frame is from the Cricut image set Fancy Frames. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo around the edges of the brown part of the frame. On the flourish part of the frame I added Star Dust Stickles to make it sparkle. 

Thank you very much for stopping by Toadally Love To Craft! Happy Crafting!

Tina

Prima Doll Halloween Card

Prima Dolls are sooooo much FUN!

I made this Prima Doll Halloween card for the monthly card contest for Stamp Cache (Palmer's local stamping/scrapbook store). 

I chose to use the Prima Doll Kate. (I buy my Prima Dolls off of Amazon.com) I printed her the size I wanted twice.  I colored one of  her with Copic markers and then cut her out by hand.   The second Kate doll I printed, I cut out the dress and used it as a pattern to draw the dress on to separate paper I used for her dress. ( I hope that makes sense!) Her hat is from the Cricut cartridge Disney-Pooh and Friends cartridge. (I measured her head and then sized the hat to what I thought would fit)

I distressed the papers by using Tim Holz Distress Inks...Vintage Photo and Rusty Hinge. 

I love this little blender tool! Its from Rangerink.com. The foam pads are Velcro so you can easily switch them out when you need to use different colors. To blend move the tool in a circular motion from the outside in. 

I used my small scissors to rough up the edges of the paper by running them up and down the sides.

To make the broom I cut paper in tiny little lines like you would if making a grass skirt...making sure not to cut to the end of the paper so it all stays together. I glued the broom part of the paper to the handle and then lightly sprayed the papers with water so I could easily roll it. Once it was all rolled up I used hot glue to close it up. 

The sentiment for the card comes from one of my favorite places...The Cutting Cafe.

It comes with the Halloween and Fall in a jar set along with several other sentiments and printable cards in a jar. 

 The spider is from the Cricut image set Doodlecharms...the web is cheese cloth. I got the idea to use cheese cloth on my crafts from You Made Me Ink. If you haven't check out her blog...DO! She is AMAZING!!! 

Hope you love her as much as I do!

Thank you for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Super cute cards from The Cutting Cafe

This week for The Cutting Cafe assignment we were able to choose between Halloween and Fall in a Jar Printable Set or Halloween and Fall Shaker Cards. All of these cards are ADORABLE! I did a couple from both sets. 

The Halloween and Fall in a Jar Printable Set is not only adorable, it couldn't be easier to make! I used sentiments that come with the set for both Jar cards.

I used a tiny punch for the stars and a white Gelly Roll pen for the white dots. 

On to the Shaker cards! This was the first time I have made shaker cards. I am toadally in love! I will definitely be making more. 

To make the eyes on this little cutie, I cut out an oval with my Explore. Then I cut it into a raindrop shape with scissors. I colored the eyes with Copic markers and did the eye lashes with a Micron pen.

I was super excited when I saw these little Jack O Lanterns at Target. I knew they'd make the perfect filling for this Pumpkin Shaker Card.

Regina has started a video series called Watch Me Work Wednesdays. The first episode shows you how to put together the Pumpkin shaker card. She did an outstanding job on the video! I not only learned how to put the Pumpkin Shaker card together, I learned a new/better way to tie a bow.

Make sure you stop by The Cutting Cafe on the 7th and 21st of every month and leave a comment on the Design Teams inspirational post so you can be entered to win 3 free sets of your choice.

Thank you for stopping by. Happy crafting!