Bug Bite's Grillin' Bug Hope

Welcome to BugBites first ever Bug Hop, Grillin’ & Chillin’ Bug Hop!

To celebrate the beginning of summer, Barb over at BugBites is hosting two consecutive weekends of Bug Hops.

This weekend it is all about the Grillin’, May 28-30.

If you've come from visiting Dana at Imagine What You Could Do, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Grillin’ & Chillin’ Bug Hop, click HERE to start from the beginning.

Each designer along the bug trail is featuring a project based on the Grillin’ & Chillin’ theme. What’s more exciting is you can participate too by creating a project and linking it up over at BugBites for a chance to win a Big Prize.

But, there’s a twist. Your project must included at least one Cricut cut and at least one of the critters that have been hidden within some of the bug stop blogs. Be sure to visit all the bug stops to find all your critter choices.

While you are looking for the critters, be sure to check out the blog candy that each designer has to offer you. You don't want to miss out on any of it! Here is my project:

Here's what I did:

I used a ladybug box that my in-laws sent with candies in it as the box for my mini album. I just redecorated the outside (because it was covered with Lindt logos).
I made the mini using Doodlecharms blackout circle tags at 3.75 inches. I cut out 10 circles and glued two of them together to make the pages a little sturdier. I cut a bunch of different patterned papers a 1/4 inch smaller, to use as the backgrounds of my pages.I cut 4 ladybugs (my critters!) at 1.25 inches in the shadow feature and added googly eyes, and 2 dragonflies (at the same size) in the regular feature. I decorated with buttons, ribbons, stamps, and brads; making usable pockets on almost ever page.I made a little fold out mini on the second page by cutting a 7 inch by 2.75 inch piece of black card stock (scoring every 2.5 inches). I folded accordingly and used a circle punch to make the little opening on the front, and added ribbon for closure. The sunflower stickers I got at Michael's for a dollar. I used my crop-a-dile to add eyelets to the holes (which I punched out using the crop-a-dile, as well) and used a red binder ring as closer. I took a bunch of scrap ribbons and tied them around the ring.

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Now for the fun stuff!!! BLOG CANDY!!! To win this candy all you have to do is become a follower and leave a comment!(For some odd reason people are having trouble following my blog, I don't know if anyone else is having this problem or not, but don't worry if you can't, I'll still include you!) Simple as that! I will then pick one lucky person (through random.org) for this prize:

Included is about 60 feet of ribbon (32 pieces, plus the clear container), 1 box of clear photo corners (250 pieces), 14 pages of die cut letters (different shapes, sizes, and colors), 50 Cricut Rewards points that have never been redeemed, and 4 remaining die cuts from my project (3 ladybugs, 1 dragonfly).

I will announce a winner on May 31st.

Next stop….Debra's blog, Debican. See what she has in store for you today.

The line up is as follows:

Barb http://bugbites411.blogspot.com/
Jenny http://jennyplace26.blogspot.com/
Kerie http://kerieskafe.blogspot.com
Larelyn http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com
Saundra www.luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com-
Amber www.amberscraftsandstuff.com
Shana www.scrapinshana.blogspot.com
Sher www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com
Deb http://debspaperpassion.blogspot.com
Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com
Dana http://iwycd.blogspot.com/
Ashley http://shellyscrafts.blogspot.com <--- YOU ARE HERE
Debra http://debican01.blogspot.com/ <------NEXT
Lisa http://indymermaid.blogspot.com
Glenda http://www.glendascards.blogspot.com/
Pat N www.patsscraps.blogspot.com
Sherri http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com
Melissa http://melspurplegiraffe.blogspot.com/





Remember, once you have hopped to all the bug stops, it's your turn to show us your Grillin’ & Chillin’ project.

Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project, include one of the hidden critters and link up your project over at BugBites by Midnight CST May 30 to be eligible for the big prize.

GOOD LUCK!

Panda Bear with Bamboo Card

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how this came out! I don't think I can send it to anyone!

Anyways, I used Mary's free Valentine's bear (SVGCuts.com) and changed it up a little bit. I got rid of the giant heart, of course, and made two small oval shapes for the panda's body. I hand cut the shapes for the eyes....it wasn't hard. For the grass I used Plantin' Schoolbook (except for the 4 pieces of Jolee's blades that you see on either side of the panda). For the clouds I used April Showers. I embossed with D'vine Swirls for the blue background and the clouds. Now for the bamboo:

I cut several strips of tan paper 1/4"-1/2" wide and inked the edges. I then cut them into short strips (many different sizes) and glued them all together in a row. For the leaves I used Storybook branch on page 37. I just cut the branches in different sizes and then cut them apart at the stem (so I'd get 4 sets of two leaves and one left over leaf).

I'm going to be entering this card into the Cooking With Cricut Cele"BEAR"ation Blog Hop.

Mother's Day Card

I made this card for my Mom for Mother's Day. I'm really like how it turned out!

I used Mary's Mother's Day Flower Pot Card and her 3D Sakura flowers from SVGCuts.com. I added the ribbon and the white Sakura Jelly roll dots around the pot. I also wrote 'mom' on the little tag. I'm entering this in their monthly challenge on their forum.

I'm also entering it into the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog's Mom's the Word challenge.

Easter Card for challenges

I'm entering this card into the FCCB challenge and Cooking With Cricut challenge, as well.

I made the card using the Wild Card Cart. Ran it through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. I love the flower and ribbon with the button, I saw the idea in an issue of Cardmaker Magazine. The little bunny border is cut with Doodlecharms, and I used pop dots on the backs. I did faux stitching with my Sakura Gelly Roll pens, and stamped Happy Easter on the inside.

Mini Mini Album for Challenges

I did this mini mini scrapbook album for my little cousin...She loves Japan.

Here's where I got the idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXkivh5FrEE

I used K&Company Tim Coffey Designer Mat Pad. The tags are from Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More. I used SVGCut's Cherry Blossoms Double blossoms. I painted around the edges of the blossoms with ink, and used homemade glimmer mist to add a little glimmer to them, and added a little button in the middle. I can't wait to add pictures to it!

Sorry about the bone folder in the last picture of the back of the box....it was the first thing I grabbed to prop up the box, cause the flower on the front was making it tilt...

Fantabulous Cricut Crawl

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog is have a Spring Fling Blog Hop! Start here.

Make sure you visit every design team member's blog, including Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons for a chance to win Awesome blog candy!!

For my project I made this little Easter basket (free from SVGCuts.com) for a friend of mine. The grass is from Plantin' Schoolbook, and the butterfly is from Indie Art. I did a lot of stitching with my Sakura Gelly Roll pens.

Good luck!!

April Showers

Using Frogs and Kisses and the umbrella from the free Banner Day files received when I signed up at Lettering Delights, I made this cute little card. I used the smiling frog so that I could move the hands to hold the umbrella. I also used the lily pad. The rain drops are from the little rain cloud in the Banner Day free files. I used pop dots to make the frog, umbrella, and rain drops stand out. And, of course, the Sakura Gelly Roll pens.

I am entering it into the LetteringDelights ideas for a chance to win a free Silhouette SD. All you do is sign up and using any of their products, submit ideas (as many as you want until April 20th)! Right now ALL of their SVG's are on sale for $2, I love, love, LOVE the Frogs and Kisses!

I'm also entering into The Paper Variety April Showers challenge. I love their challenges, cause they give you a (you guessed it!) variety of things to chose to do for each challenge.

As well as the Whimsical Wednesday challenge!

Whimsical Wednesday Challenge #1

I am entering this into the Whimsical Wednesday's first challenge! You are required to make a scrapbook page that is any size and is Spring/Easter related and must include a bug or critter. My page is 8.5x11, and I used butterflies from Creative Charms that I won last month. The paper is a small pack that I got in the Target dollar section. The frame is from the Storybook Cart. The picture is of my step sister and I from Easter 2000.

Jitterbuggin' Spring Fling Fun!

I used a paper pack that I got at Target in the dollar section (I love when they have scrapbook paper there! I usually grab one of each pack!). I noticed that I use the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder the most......I don't know if it's just because it's bigger then the other ones that I own, or that subconsciously it's my favorite.....who knows....

Anyway, the little rabbit is from Animal Kingdom, and the basket and eggs are from Doodlecharms.

I'm doing this card for the Jitterbuggin' Challenge Blog, click the button on the side of my blog ---->

Mom's Birthday Card

I thought I'd participate in a bunch of entries at one time to challenge myself, but also I needed to make a card for my mom's birthday (so two birds, one stone)! Ok, here goes:

1. http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/2011/03/tic-tac-toe.html -

Tic-Tac-Toe I chose Stamp-Card- Scallops. I made the card, obviously, and the scallop I used was from the Storybook Cart. I stamped Happy Birthday on the top left hand corner.

2. http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/search/label/Challenge%20Me%20Monday -

This is a Happy Birthday Card for my Mom.

3. http://lindascreativity.blogspot.com/2011/03/creative-sisters-monday-challenge-4.html -

I used a Martha Stewart flower border punch for the top and bottom borders.

4. http://jitterbugginchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/bloom-where-you-are-planted.html -

The card is pink and purple all around, I stuck with the sketch, I made the 3D flower from random flowers (all from the Give A Hoot Cart.), and the butterfly is from Storybook, as well.


I used a white Sakura gel pen for the stitching and the dots on the scallop. And put a clear jewel in the middle of the flower.

I hope that I didn't miss anything!

FCCB Challenge Me Monday #50 Tree Time

I made this card for my Aunt Gina....they found a lump in her breast (I found out yesterday that it's benign, which is great!).

I used the Give A Hoot cart. and Designer's Calendar for the pink ribbon. As well as the Storybook cart. for the 'WE' and the scallop and circle. I used a white Sakura Gelly pen to do the stitching...She really liked the card, so I'm entering it into the FCCB Tree Time Challenge (the owl's branch).

Hope you like!

Jitterbuggin' Go Hog Wild!

I have always loved Winnie the Pooh, and Piglet had always been my favorite character.

I almost forgot about the buttons and patterned paper! The dark paper behind the embossed layer (behind the You're my very best Friend) is patterned. It's part of the first paper pack that I ever bought! It has very faint stripes to it....

I'm entering this one into the Jitterbuggin' Challenge Go Hog Wild, with just 4 minutes to spare!

Get In Shape! Jitterbuggin' Entry

I'm entering this card into the Jitterbuggin' Challenge 'Get in Shape!'

I made this card using the Wild Card Cricut Cartridge. I cut it out at 5 inches, and I cut the solid circle out at 3 inches, and used an expired cut from SVGCuts.com (flower bouquet) for the middle. I stitched around the edges with a black Sakura Gelly Roll Pen, and outlined the flowers and the bow with a pink Sakura, as well.

Hope you like it!