Inaugural Challenge at Exploring Cricut

Welcome dear friends to the very first challenge at the new blog, Exploring Cricut! I am so excited to be a member of this new team headed by my dear friend Diane. The team is excited to bring you creations focused on using those cartridges that sometime lanquish on the shelf. This week's challenge will focus on the Close To My Heart Cartridge, Art Philosophy. You will need to creative a project using Square 3 (page 43 of your manual) and a minimum of two flowers from this cartridge! Complete details may be found on our blog, Exploring Cricut. Don't forget to link your project there on Mr. Linky! And check out what the rest of the DT has created.

Here's my creation...



I created this project as a gift. The frame is a simple black one I purchased from my local retailer. I removed the glass and matting and then cut a 5 x 7 piece of card stock. I created a slightly smaller red card stock layer carefully distressing the edges with a distressing tool and ink before adhering to the bottom layer. The final layer (cut 1/4 inch smaller) is DP by Colorbok. I distressed and inked all edges and then crinkled it up, flattened it back out and adhered it to the card stock! (Super way to take our your frustrations... wink, wink) I cut one Square 3 (3 1/2") and another slightly smaller (3 1/4").
I distressed them with ink and before putting them together with dimensional foam stamped a scripture stamp on the top layer. I attached a swath of lace on the card stock base and followed up with a jet pearl flourish. I then placed my sentiment on top with more foam tape. I cut the spiral flowers at 3" and 2 1/2". I took care to roll these up and secured them with hot glue. The leaves are cuts from Storybook. (I ran them through my paper crimper to get texture...) At this point I placed my card base in the frame and glued it in the frame. And finally, I placed my roses, leaves and a few more jet pearls strategically and tied a satin knot bow that I secured to one side! I think this will make an awesome gift for someone! Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the main blog to connect to the DT's creations!

Exploring Cricut

Product List

5 x 7 Black Frame (glass and mat removed)
Card Stock (beige - base, red - matting)
Designer Paper - Colorbok
Cricut Cartridges - Art Philosophy, Storybook
Stamp - Our Daily Bread Designs - Scripture Series 2
Ink - Versafine Onyx Black (Scripture); Memento Rich Cocoa (distressing)
Jet Bead Flourish - Recollections
Satin Ribbon - Black
Lace
Hot Glue Gun
Paper Crimper