Circles of Patterns!

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to share a couple more 'circle inspiration' layouts with you!  The first three layouts were featured on the BASIC GREY BLOG and you can click on their titles to go to those posts.

"HE'S ON HIS OWN"

"JORJA & HER TEDDY BEAR:"

I love how you can use so many patterns on one page by using simple circles.  Have you ever bought a 'collection' of patterned papers because they all coordinated so well, but then had trouble trying to put all the different patterns to work on your pages?  I have... I'm a pattern paper hoarder and let me tell you, if there is a "collection"... you can bet that I will have to buy, not just one of each, but TWO of each!  LOL!  My favorite paper companies are BASIC GREY (of course), BO BUNNY and MY MIND'S EYE.  They are so good at putting together collections that coordinate and tell a story.  

This next layout was the inspiration for my own scrapbook layout today... I just love the design of it and how so many different patterns can be used all together.  Lady Grace Belarmino from the BASIC GREY DT  designed this page.  She used all 1" circles and that she punched out by hand, but if you have a cricut... save your hands!  There are dozens of cartridges that offer simple circles.

"YOU ARE SO CUTE"

Of course, my page turned out a little different... my circles are 2" because I really wanted to show off the patterns and colors.  I also did not use one collection for this layout, my papers are from a variety of companies, but all in the same color scheme.  

The 'circle' design was perfect for these pictures because they reminded me of 'fish scales' and we were at the aquarium at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.  Supplies used:

Cricut Expression

Cricut Craft Room

FUN IN THE SUN Cricut Cartridge (shark)

BIRTHDAY BASH Cricut Cartridge (title: Aquarium)

BLACKLETTER Cricut Cartridge (title: Atlantis)

Black cateye stamp pad

Signo white gel pen

Another obsession of mine... double page layouts!  So, I simply flipped the design to make a coordinating page.  I love how I was able to put three photos on the right side and used the center strip for my journaling.

The shark is from FUN IN THE SUN cricut cartridge and was cut at 3.5":

I used the CRICUT CRAFT ROOM for my cricut cuts and wanted to share how I did my title.

The font feature of CRICUT CRAFT ROOM is pretty cool... check it out:




Click HERE if you cannot see the video above. (I apologize for the blurriness... I was having technical difficultites, but you can still get the idea)


Don't forget that I am giving away a CRICUT MINI!!  Leave a comment and make sure you are subscribed to my blog and you too, could be a WINNER!!

Creatively yours,

Tammytopper

CIRCLE INSPIRATION

Hi Ya'll!!

I'm working for Kiolbassa down in Houston this weekend, but wanted to take a few minutes to share some inspiration with you!  Check out these different ways to use circles on your pages!

From OCTOBER AFTERNOON:

From SCRAPBOOK & CARDS TODAY:

From PAGEMAPS:

The layout below is from the sketch above

   

From JENNI BOWLIN:

From SCRAPBOOK GENERATION (Debbie Sanders):

Each of the sketches/layouts above have the links to them... I encourage you to check them out because each one is just FULL of all kinds of inspiration!!!  ENJOY!

Don't forget about the CRICUT MINI giveaway!!

Creatively yours,

Tammy Topper

GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: Use circles to highlight journaling

Hello Everyone!!

We are still featuring CIRCLES this week and all the ways to use them in your projects!  Today's layout is from GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING cricut cartridge (an oldie but goodie).

The circles are a major part of my journaling for this layout.  They number my TOP TEN FAVORITE MEMORIES.  My most favorite memories always include my children which is why I chose this photo for this page.  The photo is a 12x12 that I ordered from Costco's photo department and it takes up a whole page.

Because the photo is so big, it's okay that there aren't any photos on the left side at all... which is good, because my journaling takes up all the space.

Don't forget about the CRICUT MINI giveaway!!  A lucky winner will be drawn from the comments on both of my blogs and announced on Saturday, May 5th.  Good luck everyone and remember, you must be a follower of my blog and please limit your comments to only one per post!

Creatively yours,

Tammy Topper

BIRTHDAY BASH: Circle Embellishment for a Banner

Hello Everyone!!

Happy Birthday Demas!  Yesterday was his birthday and this Saturday is his "American Idol Karaoke" birthday party.  It's his big FORTY birthday, so his mom is throwing him a party and I helped her plan & coordinate it!  Of course, it's not a party if we don't have at least ONE thing made with our Cricut!  ;-)

I love making banners... but spelling out HAPPY BIRTHDAY means cutting out 14 pieces and stringing them together... makes for a long banner and is not very personal.  Besides, you can buy one of those at the party store.  So, our banner is only 6 pieces long, because we put "Happy Birthday" all on one piece and spelled out the birthday guy's name on the other 5.

This banner was made using the BIRTHDAY BASH cartridge.  It has 13 different banner shapes and each one has a shadow feature which I love because your patterned papers show up better and are much sturdier when backed with a solid shadow.  Because this is a special birthday... the big FOUR-ZERO... I wanted to emphasize that in my banner.  That's where the "circles" come in:

I used a circle banner from BIRTHDAY BASH that had two holes already in it, so using the 'HIDE/CONTOUR" feature on my gypsy, I simply hid one of the holes.  Then I welded the "BIG 40" together, the font is also from BIRTHDAY BASH.  Just like in my scrapbook layout yesterday, circles make great backgrounds for embellishments, but their not just for layouts!

There are many ways to 'string' a banner.  I like this method the best... cut ribbon 6" inches long and simply tie each banner piece to each other... knot it and trim the edges at an angle.  Small ribbon works best.

TA-DA!  Finished project!  I think it says it all and is only 6 pieces long!  See how cute the circles are dangling from each banner piece?  Use your imagination and you could use actual pictures cut into circles too!

 Perfect size for the fireplace... add photos on the mantle and you've got great decorations for the party!

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for all of your encouraging and supportive comments!  I can't even begin to tell you how much your comments and emails meant to me.  There have been several times over the past 6 months that I seriously considered walking away from everything... closing down Creative Critterz and giving up.  I have my grown children to thank for the support and encouragement to continue.  They may only be 20/22/24 years old, but they have all grown up so much through this trial in our lives and they each have taken an active role in my metamorphosis.  Personal Trainer, nutrition advisor, fashion consultant, Zumba partner and roommate... I have them to thank for holding my hand as I start down this new path.

This new path also includes new projects and things for me to share with you.  I am currently working as a brand ambassador for the Kiolbassa Sausage Company out of San Antonio and have started sharing recipes with their product on TOPPER IN THE KITCHEN.  I'm excited about that blog because I love to cook almost as much as I love to scrapbook (almost, lol).  I will also be sharing my weight loss journey with you on a separate blog (to be announced soon!) and even more exciting... I will continue sharing my love for my cricut here, but can't wait to show you what Jinger has been up to!!  It will take your breath away!

So, to celebrate my return to everything crafty... how about a GIVEAWAY!!?  National Scrapbook Day is right around the corner and I have a brand new CRICUT MINI to give away!!  I will draw a winner and announce that person on National Scrapbook Day, Saturday, May 5th!  Wow... that's just a little over 2 weeks away!

To be eligible to win, you must be a follower of my blog and can get extra entries if you also join my TOPPER IN THE KITCHEN blog too! One comment per post please.  Thanks again everyone!

Creatively yours,

Tammytopper

CIRCLES, CIRCLES, CIRCLES....

Hello Everyone!!

This week I am focusing on how to use simple circles in your scrapbook layouts.  This is a layout that I did for my vacation book and I really love how it turned out.  I only had one sheet of this awesome printed paper, so I cut it into 3"x12" strips and used them on both pages.  Now the circles on these pages work well, because I needed something to showcase the cute 'travel' Jolee stickers that I had.  The circles on the opposite page will hold my journaling.

"LET THE VACATION BEGIN"

1 - 12X12 patterned paper

2 - 12x12 Sage green cardstock

2 - 12x12 white cardstock

1 - 12x12 mustard cardstock

1 - 12x12 olive cardstock

white gel pen

chocolate cateye stamp pad

ART PHILOSOPHY Cricut Cartridge

DESIGNER CALENDAR Cricut Cartridge (word 'Vacation')

DON JUAN Cricut Cartridge (words 'Let/the/begin')

Love my white gel pen!

Take care everyone!!!  Hope your day is a great one. 

Creatively yours,

Tammy

Jinger Adams Design Team

Hello Everyone!!

I've got some exciting news!  For the past six months, I have been undergoing a metamorphosis.  I separated from my husband of 26 years quite unexpectantly, am now in the process of getting a divorce, moved back from California to Texas (where I belong) and have completely changed my life.  In the past, I have always enjoyed my scrapbooking as therapy for times when I was stressed or sad.  But, this time, even scrapbooking was not effective... at first.  So, I started walking.  In the beginning, it was an excuse to put my headphones on and blare my music as loud as I could and not think... just walk.  Then, when I realized how many calories I was burning... I decided that it was time (past time actually) to get healthy and lose weight.  It's been working too... I've lost 47lbs so far, but still have a long way to go.  This metamorphosis has just begun...

My other exciting news is that I am SO honored to have been selected as designer on Jinger Adams' Design Team!!!  And just look at the creative ladies that I will be rubbing elbows with!






 I have recaptured my 'creative mojo' and simply can't wait to share everything with you!  This week is gonna be all about CIRCLES!  I'll be back with a layout using lots & lots of circles and of course we have to celebrate with a GIVEAWAY!!

Creatively yours,

Tammy

CRAFT ROOM EXCLUSIVES: April 12, 2012

Hey Everyone!!

Here's FIVE more Cricut Craft Room Exclusive digital cartridges just released yesterday!

Click HERE to purchase the AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE ALPHABET:

Click HERE to purchase BARNYARD BABIES:

Click HERE to purchase CHEERLEADING:

Click HERE to purchase MIXED DRINKS:

Click HERE to purchase SEASONAL CHARACTERS:

Hmmmm... not sure if the CHEERLEADING cartridge or the MIXED DRINKS cartridge is my favorite of this release!! LOL!  But I do have to say that the SEASONAL CHARACTERS are stinking cute!  Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

Creatively yours,

Tammy

CRAFTROOM EXCLUSIVES: April 5, 2012

Hello Everyone!!

It's ALL ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY with these new Craftroom images!  Check them out!

Mother's Day is right around the corner!  Only a little over a month away, MAY 13TH.  I love that Provocraft has released these images in plenty of time for everyone to plan their projects with them.  

These images are to be used with Provo Craft's online FREE software CRICUT CRAFT ROOM.  Click on the name to go download it FREE today!  These images and many many more can be purchased in the CRICUT CRAFT ROOM EXCLUSIVE store online. (prices vary).

Enjoy Everyone!

Creatively yours,

Tammy