Monday, December 31, 2012

BugBites new stamp sneak peek day 2!

Welcome back to day 2 of my sneak peek for my new BugBites stamp set called Candy Speaks.

Tomorrow morning this stamp set will available for purchase on the right side of my blog. I have limited quantities of this stamp set so be sure to get yours quickly.

Now onto today's projects. I designed this stamp set to go with sweet treats and small gifts but I find that they make some great cards without the treats as well.

I think this is one of my favorite projects for today.
I used a "super" cute cut file from my friend Lisa over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons called Super Hero Trio
I wrapped a crunch candy bar with a strip of red paper and then added layer of yellow paper. I added some blue twine and hand cut a tag to fit my sentiment. My lil' super guy was cut on my cameo and then once all the layers were glued together I added a peachy keen face and popped him up with some foam tape to the front of the candy bar.

Yesterday I posted a project that had a little cowboy on it. Well, it's only fair I do a cowgirl. This cowgirl is from the same  Wild West Kids cut file from Kadoodle Bug Designs.
This card would be perfect given by itself or with a box of Whoppers candies.

I guess I have a little people theme going today. We have a super hero, a cowgirl, guess it is time for another hero, the fireman. I turned to Kadoodle Bug Designs once again for the fireman in the Lil' firefighters set.
While thinking about what to do with this sentiment, I was wanting to do something with peppers that I could put with hot tamales candy. well, I am still looking for the right pepper for that card. I then got a little nostalgic and started thinking about the valentines I got as kid and decided a fireman would be perfect. Give this "you're hot" card to your loved one with a box of red hots or hot tamales.
Oh, I must give credit, the "be my valentine" sentiment is from My Creative Time. 

\My last project is a "beary" sweet card. I had to put some red paper behind it so you could see the postage stamp edge of the white card stock. 
Yup- still have Valentine's day on my mind. What can I say, it's that time of year. 
I used my Cricut and the Create A Critter 2 cartridge for this card. A box of chocolate and a teddy bear, the classic valentine's day gift. I am sure each of you has gotten something similar for a valentine's day, right?
Again, this sentiment is perfect for this valentine or could be on tag and stuck to a bag of gummy bears. 

This stamp set is one I will be using all year round. 

See ya tomorrow for the official release . I have a couple last projects I am working on that I can't wait to show you. 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

New BugBites Stamp set- Sneak Peek!

Today I want to share a few projects I have been working on with my new BugBites stamp set called Candy Speaks. It has all sorts of cute punny sentiments about candy and sweets.
It will be available on my website starting January 1.

I really like this stamp set because there are so many possibilities that you can use it for. You could use it for birthday cards, get well wishes, thank you notes, special little notes in the kids lunch box, treats to the teacher, co-worker, valentines....well, you get the idea.

So onto my sneak peek projects.
Thanks for always rooting for me is my first card today made with a cute svg file from Kadoodle Bug Designs called Wild West KidsThis card would be great to give someone as a thank you. Make it even more fun, send a bottle of root beer with it.


Next up is a very simple and quick project that you could have on hand to put in your teenagers backpack or maybe your husbands briefcase. I used the new label die from My Creative Time and My Craft Spot  I got from my son for Christmas to make this quick project. I just glued it to a pack of Extra gum. Super simple, but a great little message to let someone know you are thinking of them.

ok, you still with me... I have a couple more. 


How about a get well card. I dusted off my Gypsy to weld the shadow of the popcorn box for the card base. Then added the details of the popcorn with a hand cut banner for the sentiment that says "Just poppin' by to say get well soon". This would be great by itself or why not send a movie and some microwave popcorn with it. The popcorn box can be found in the Country Fair cartridge. 


My final project for you today is probably one of my favorites so far not to mention I am a Starburst candy lover. I did a little treat bag topper with Elmo on it. I heat embossed the sentiment in white to the black card stock. Who doesn't love Elmo! These would be great treat bags for a school party, birthday treats or just a little surprise for your child in their school bag or lunch box letting them know they are a real Star-burst. Elmo can be found in the Elmo's Party cartridge.

Well, I hope you like what you've seen today. I will be back with a new batch of fun projects using this new BugBites Candy Speaks stamp set tomorrow.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Happy New Year!

Wow- we are about to begin a whole new year...2013!

I have been working on lots of things this week in the craft room including a  few New Years cards. I picked up this svg freebie over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons. You can still grab it as well. Just click here.
I made it into a tall shaped card. This card will fit nicely in a business size envelope or 4"x 9".

I mentioned the other day my Cricut was feeling a bit lonely. So I dusted it off and added this cute lil'  penguin from the Create a Critter 2 cartridge to the front. My, there are some super cute images in that cartridge.

I stamped an adorable peachy keen face and added to stickles and gems. The sentiment tag is from my own BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set.

I did 6 of these cards and need to get to the post office now so the recipients get them in time.

**********************News Flash********************
Speaking of BugBites stamp sets, I have a new stamp set that will be released on New Years day. I have been working on some projects to show you and will be posting them over the next two days with sentiments from this new set. This set is so fun and can be used for almost any occasion. You will love it.
Keep watching for those sneak peaks.


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Baby, it's cold outside!

I know, it is winter afterall, but goodness it is cold outside.
I downloaded this freebie a few weeks ago from Kadoodle Bug Designs and just got around to making a card with it.

You can still find it on their website. I did a shaped card using the Cameo.
I stamped a Peachy Keen face and added a My Craft Spot tag and sentiment.

Hope you are all having a great week.



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

A quick little post to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and lots of JOY during this holiday season.

This is an old fashioned card I did using the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons freebie this week, the Christmas stockings cut file. I also used the snowflakes file as a print and cut version.
I used  a variety of digital papers from the vintage paper series as well.
I used some old fashioned tinsel for a small bow at the top. 
The shaped card was found in the silhouette online store. 

Monday, December 24, 2012

A quick last minute treat bag topper

I had one last gift to take care of today. Once I got home from the store, I decided that the gift (treats) would be fun to present in a bag with a cute treat bag topper vs wrapping a box.

So in less than an hour later, I ended up with this....
I used my Cameo software to create a rectangle top. I then added some adorable cut files from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons and I had a super cute bag topper ready for gift giving.

The files I used to create this were: Santa's HelpersBorders 1Christmas Brights Flourish Digi paper. and Christmas Brights Circles and Spots Digi paper

I used the print and cut method, but I didn't cut all the pieces. Instead, I took some layers, grouped them and then printed and cut.  Example, those tiny green stocking stripes...I am not sure I could have cut and got them glued to look nice. So, I just printed them with his boots and body as one piece.  I then printed and cut his clothes to layer on top. I did something similar with his head and hat. I still got a look of paper piecing without dealing with the many tiny pieces.

I added a Peachy Keen face and a sentiment from My Creative Time's Warm Holiday Fun stamp set.

Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Sending you all wishes for a safe and blessed holiday!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Treat Boxes

Just popping in for a quick post.
These cute paver boxes are from My Scrap Chick. They go together super quick.
 I filled them with treats and gift cards for nephews.

Have a super day!


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Cardinal Christmas Cards

Hope everyone is having a great start to their weekend. I am enjoying watching more holiday movies with my husband. Gotta love Tivo.

I have been using my Cameo quite a bit lately. That's because there are so many adorable things to cut with it. Including this great cardinal card from SVGcuts.
I used this file for my Christmas cards this year. I used paper I  had on hand and red scraps for the birds. They are all slightly different. 
I added some silver stickles to the blades of the skates as well as a pearl sticker in the middle of the snowflake. The sentiment is from my BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set. 

I think I need to do a few projects with my Cricut this weekend. It is feeling a bit lonely. 

Have a great Saturday.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Winter Blog Hop Winner

 A big thank you to everyone that hopped along with us during the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons winter hop earlier this week.

I  have picked a winner from all the comments left. 

The winner of a BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set is.....
Amy E said...What a cute card Barb!! I love the patterned paper on the cute little owl!



Thanks Amy for the wonderful comment. Please email me your mailing address to BugBites411@gmail.com so I can get this new stamp set out to you asap.

BE sure to stop by Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons today. There is a super cute Freebie posted. You don't want to miss it. 



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Tags and More Tags!

Today is another Design Team day over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

Each year I have great intentions to make my own gift tags.
This year, I came across a tutorial found here and thought this would be a great way to get my tags done this year. It took a bit of time setting them all up but once done I print and cut the tags later any time I want. As you can see I went a little crazy.
What made this project fun to do was using Lisa's super cute cut files. Though I didn't cut any layers, I am able to use the SVG files as digital clip art. A 2-for-1 deal!!

Sorry for so many pictures, but I have many versions to share.  
Here I used the Jolly St Nick and Holiday Trees files



                                                    Santa's Helpers and Snowflakes

Please be sure to stop by Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons to see the awesome projects the other Design Team Members have done for you. 




Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Celebrate the Occasion Challenge #93

Wow- Christmas is almost here. To celebrate, the DT over at Celebrate the Occasion has a holiday challenge for you all--Anything Christmas!

This month Floppy Lattes is our sponsor so I am pleased to showcase one of their many holiday designs.
This digi of holiday gifts is so pretty. I just used a few markers to color it and then used some holiday paper and instant holiday card. The sentiment is from my BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set.

Now it's your turn...link up a Christmas project this week so we can see the wonderful things you have been working on.

Oh, when you stop by Celebrate the Occasion, take a look at the info for the Design Team call going on now. It's a wonderful group to be a part of.

Though this is my last time posting as a DT member, I have truly enjoyed it.

Wishing everyone a creative week!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Winter Blog Hop!


Welcome to the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Winter Blog hop! 
If you came here from Candace's blog, you are in the right place. If you just stumbled upon this post and would like to start from the beginning, please visit Lisa's blog.

The DT team has been working on many winter and holiday projects using Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons files to share with you.
I had a hard time deciding which PPPR file I wanted to use for my project. I started a few things and ended up with this fun little owl from the Little Hoot set.
This cut file set not only has this great owl, but many different accessories to 
go with it for each holiday season.

I used a scallop mat shape from the Silhouette store, a sentiment from My Scrappy Moms 
and papers from a Authentique Festive paper pack.

Now before you hop along, I gotta let ya know about some PRIZES!!!!

First, Lisa is giving away this prize pack to a lucky hopper. 
For a chance to win, you must be a follower of each blog on our hop and leave a comment on each blog. 

For extra chances, you can also "LIKE" Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons on Facebook and/or sign up for the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Newsletter
Lisa will randomly choose a winner of the big hop prize on Tuesday, December 18. Only US or Canadian mailing addresses, please.

More PRIZES!!

Now since you are here, I would love to hear from you. So please leave me a comment and if you are a follower, or you become a follower between now and Tuesday, December 18, you will have a chance to win one of my own BugBites Stamp sets, Glad Tidings.
I will draw a winner Wednesday morning.

Ok, so here is your homework. Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, snuggle up with a blanket and hop along with me as we head on over to Ana Maria's blog to see what she's been up to. 

Here's the whole lineup in case you get lost along the way. 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Food Fare Wednesday??

Yes, I know it's been a while since I have posted a Food Fare Friday Recipe. But today is a special Food Fare Wednesday instead!

I have Christmas cookies on my mind as well as some great SVG files from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons.  

So, I put the two together and I ended up scrapping one of my favorite cookie recipes.
This recipe is from the cooks at the grade school I attended when the cooks actually made cookies from scratch at the school.

A few years back, I called the school to talk with the head cook to see if they still might remember this cookie recipe and if they were willing to share it. I was so pleased when she knew right away which recipe it was and faxed it right over to me. Yes, the fax machine. The world hadn't gotten to scanning quite yet.

I have a few dozen of these cookies in the freezer now. If you try the recipe, I suggest making only half a batch. Remember this was a recipe to feed the whole school so it's HUGE!

Now, the design of this 8x8 page was inspired by some cut files that my blogging friend Lisa from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons has designed.

Santa in his sleigh with his reindeer is from the Jolly St Nick set. You'll love the pretty Snowflakes files. The background digital paper is from the  Christmas Circles and Spots set and finally the whimsical Holiday Trees just released today.

Fun recipes pages like this makes for an enjoyable evening paging through the recipe album.

Please stop by Lisa's blog here to see what other super duper files she is releasing today...you will love them all!!!



Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Christmas Challenge- CTO Challenge #92

Today, I finally got a start on those  holiday cards. I was inspired by this weeks Celebrate the Occasion challenge #92. The challenge is a Christmas card, but you need to use a punch. 

Now I know you all need to make holiday cards and you all have loads of punches in the drawer like I do. I don't use them as much as I should since I get caught up using my Cricut and Cameo. 

I dug out a Martha Stewart snowflake border punch for this sweet little card. The little girl is from Kadoodle Bug Designs.
I added a Peachy Keen face, some stickles, ribbon and a button. Love these papers too..they are from a new holiday 6x6 Carta Bella Paper stack called Winter Fun. Love these colors. 

The sentiment is from my own BugBites Stamp set called Glad Tidings.  It's makes a great stocking stuffer for that crafter on your list.

Now it's your turn...get those punches out and link up a project. I can't wait to see wait you do. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Design Team

Wow, where are the days going.
I can't believe it is another Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Design Team day.

I guess if I were home more I could get more cards done.
Well, I was in Mexico last week on vacation with some friends. I have to say another couple days would have been good to soak up some more sun.
Now it's back to work and I am off to Las Vegas today til Sunday.

Before I go, I wanted to get up the Christmas tree. Almost done, just the garland and tinsel left. That will have to wait til Sunday when I get home. Just not enough hours in the day.

Now, back to the PPPR design team project. Ya just gotta live all of Lisa's wonderful and I must say super cute cut files and digi papers.

My project today showcases a cut file from the Jolly St. Nick set.
I sized the Santa and his sleigh to fit a 8.5" x 4" card. Printed and cut it out and then attached it with foam tape to the front of the card.

The background paper is from the digi paper pack called Christmas Brights Circles and Spots. I used the same paper pack on the green sentiment border.
The banner is also a cut file from a set called Sentiment Spots 1 and you can download it now for just 99 cents!

I had some embossed white paper that I tore to look like snow drifts and then added a sentiment  from my BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set.

I think it has a bit of a vintage feel with the silver stickles on the sleigh runners.

Please be sure to stop by the Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbons blog for wonderful ideas from my fellow DT sisters.

Have a great week.




Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Celebrate the Occasion #90

Today is Challenge #90 over at Celebrate the Occasion and the challenge is Thanksgiving using three buttons.

I know, Thanksgiving was last week, but, as you continue to enjoy the last of those leftovers and still have Pilgrims dancing in your head, why not do one last card or two this week to have ready for next year.

My card for you today couldn't be easier, really.
It's a standard card base with a few mats of pattern paper. I just twisted them slightly. I then took this adorable Bobblehead Pilgrim from Bugaboo stamps and colored  him with my Cameo software. You could also use your copics as well. Just a few colors is all it takes. I cut him out and popped him up on the front of the card with some foam tape.

Now don't forget the 3 buttons. I actually used 5, the 4 brown you see in the corners and a teeny tiny button on his shirt sleeve.

The sentiment is as simple as the design and from my very own stamp set, BugBites Autumn Splendor.

I hope you will join us for this challenge and link up one more thankful card for the season.
I can't wait to see how you can inspire me!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

PPPR Blog Hop Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone that hopped along with  us last week for the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons blog hop and to those of you that left wonderful comments. 

The winner of the BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set is.....

Laura: This card is cute.. Love stair step cards..
I already was a follower..

Congratulations Laura. Please send me your mailing address to bugbites411@gmail.com so I can get this holiday stamp set out to you asap. 


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Great sale over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

I know Black Friday has come and gone, but you can still take advantage of a great sale going on at PPPR. Check it out.














Friday, November 23, 2012

Holiday Decorations

A couple weeks ago I purchased a wonderful SVG file for a nutcracker at SVG Cuts.

I decided I finally had time to cut all the parts and try them. I figure when cutting, why not cut a few more at the same time. So I cut 6!

As I started to put them together, I realized this was not going to be a 2 hour project. Perhaps if I was putting just one together, 2 hours would be enough time, but not for doing 6.
The hardest part for me is always picking out the papers. I didn't get all 6 done quite yet, but got these four completed last night after cooking Thanksgiving dinner. The video tutorial over at SVG cuts was awesome for helping to line up all the pieces for each nutcracker Boy, are there a lot of pieces but well worth the trouble because I think they turned out cute. The finished size is 12" and therefore, look great on a shelf.

I am giving these to friends as a holiday gift with my cookies during my cookie exchange today. Yup, an annual event of baking cookies with my friend and her family. I try to find a little gifty item to give with my cookies each year we get together. They are crafters as well so I know they will appreciate the time and effort I put into these. I hope they like them.


Have a great day!!


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Design Team day at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

Today is Design Team day at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons. Yeah!!

I really enjoy the fall season with great colors and of course pumpkins  My card today is simple but I think very cute. I did a shape card using the pumpkin cut file from the First Thanksgiving set.

I brought the image into my Cameo software, duplicated and welded it for the base. I cut it from kraft card stock. I then printed and cut the pumpkin layers also on kraft card stock. For the orange portion of the  pumpkin I used the PPPR digi papers, Pumpkin Spice Floral Brocade and Pumpkin Spice Plaid Grid. I like the rustic look when printed on kraft paper.

The leaves are die cuts using My Creative Time dies along with the stamp sentiment from the Piles of Smiles set.

A little ribbon and my card is ready for mailing.

Please stop over to see what the other DT members have created here with the fabulous files from the Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbons store.


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Celebrate the Occassion challenge 89- Pumpkin Please!

Happy Tuesday. Only a few days until Thanksgiving. It's a short work week as well, yeah!

This week at Celebrate the Occassion, the challenge is anything with pumpkins.
I came across this cute digital file at Doodle Pantry. I just had to download it the minute I saw it.
The mat shape is from the Silhouette online store. I printed the pattern paper using digital papers from Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbons.

I hope you will join us and link up your pumpkin project this week when you check out the other DT projects at Celebrate the Occassion.


Saturday, November 17, 2012

Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbon Fall Blog Hop.

Welcome to the Pretty Papers, Pretty Ribbon Fall Blog Hop.


If you came here from Candace's blog, you are in the right place. If you just stumbled upon this post and would like to start from the beginning, please visit Lisa's blog.

Today the Design team gals over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons are making Fall or Thanksgiving projects using Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons files for our fall blog hop.
Lisa has designed so many adorable files as well as digital papers it is hard to pick just one, not to mention each week she has a Freebie image.
The great thing about these files is that they all coordinate together so well. You can see that in my card today. 
I used several cut files as well as digital papers.
My card is a center step card. I started with kraft card stock as the base and then added some great papers from Lisa's Pumpkin Spice digital paper line. 

The pilgrim boy is from the First Thanksgiving cut set. I opened the file in my cameo software and with a little adjusting, I printed and cut his body/face and then cut his clothes from scrap papers. 

The corn stalk is from another great fall cut file set called Fall Festival
The tag for the sentiment can be found here and the digital papers here.

Finally, I added a stamped sentiment from the BugBites Autumn Splendor stamp set as well as some ribbon and buttons.

************Blog Candy**********

For hopping along with us today we have this great prize package to give away.
For a chance to win, you must be a follower of each blog on our hop and leave a comment on each blog. 
For extra chances, you can also "LIKE" Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons on Facebook and/or sign up for the Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Newsletter.
Lisa will randomly choose a winner of the big hop prize on Tuesday, November 20. Only US or Canadian mailing addresses, please.

As an extra bonus, please be or become a follower of my blog, BugBites, and leave me a comment on this post for a chance to win the new BugBites Glad Tidings stamp set. I will announce a winner next week as well.

Now, let's all hop together over to Jeanne's blog and see what wonderful fall project she has for us.

Here's the complete line just in case you get lost along the way...
Barb ~ http://bugbites411.blogspot.com/ -- you are here!
Jeanne ~ http://www.jeannespapercrafts.com/ --- your next stop!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Glad Tidings stamp release

Ok, it's finally here...the big reveal of the new BugBites stamp set, Glad Tidings.

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Simply click the link on the right side bar to order now in time for your holiday card making.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Are you a Twilight fan?

Hey everyone....thought I would share something fun with you today. I am in LA for business this week staying at LA Live. Yes, this is near where the Twilight premier will take place tonight.

The event I attended last night gave us the opportunity to walk the actual "black" carpet for the event. The same carpet those stars will walk tonight.
Here I am waiting for my turn for a picture in front of the back drop last night. Oh, that white tent behind the photographer is filled with fans that have been camping out since last Thursday waiting to get a glimpse of the stars tonight.

Now this is what it looks like from my hotel room window tonight as the stars start to arrive. Lots of flashing lights.