Fantabulous Cricut Challenge--Get Organized!

So, the challenge over at FCCB  this week for Challenge Me Monday is a 2013 Get Organized Cricut Crawl.  Since I have made a commitment to get back into my craft room and get back into blogging for 2013, I decided I needed to make a light box to photograph my creations.  The challenge includes a project to help you get organized anywhere in the house, and it must include at least one Cricut cut.

To start, I used a Priority Mail cardboard box that had arrived with some goodies inside a few weeks ago.  I covered the inside with white paper.  Then, I used my trusty ATG to cover the outside with some cute (and cheap) scrapbook paper from Target.  My signature color is pink, so it was quite the departure for me to go with this Circus-y lookin' stuff, but I do like how it turned out.  Then I cut the camera layers from the Create a Critter cartridge.  I used my Gypsy to line them up (each piece fit on a 4x4 piece of cardstock).  Then I used my Gypsy to weld letters from the Lyrical Letters cartridge for the sentiment.  I layered everything up, cut out the turquoise paper around the lettering, and added some accents with the gelly roll pen.  I really, really like it, and it will make my photography simpler...yay, me!

My Advent Calendar

I have wanted to make an Advent Calendar for many years...and I finally did.  Finished it yesterday.  Don't Judge...I will be ready for next year....lol.  anyway, I made it by sealing 24 standard sized envelopes, then cutting one of the ends off to make a pocket that is about 4 1/2" long.  I would like to say I measured every one and used my trimmer, but that's a lie...I eyeballed it, so they are not EXACTLY 4 1/2", but they are all pretty close.  What the hey!  After that, I covered each one with patterned Christmas paper that I got from a Christmas Stack.  I think it was DCWV, but I'm not certain.  Once I had that done, I trimmed the cut edge of each one with some fancy scissors that my DD has in her stash.  Then I used my Lyrical Letters Cricut Cartridge to cut out the numbers on Expressions Vinyl.  Forest Green for the odds, Black for the evens.  Then stuck them on the pockets.  Each pocket contains a Bible verse that tells part of the Christmas Story, plus a daily activity to do with the kids. Once the pockets were finished, I spray painted some clothespins with metallic paint--it's not exactly gold, not exactly silver--Krylon brand, but I threw the can away when I was done, so I couldn't tell you the name of the color.  Helpful, aren't I?  Once these dried, I was ready to hang up the calendar from a garland over my fireplace insert. Which I did.  For five minutes.  Long enough to take this picture.  And I couldn't find my *real* camera, so I had to use my Blackberry camera...and...well...this is the best I can do.  Sad, I know...but hopefully I will find my real camera soon....or get a new one....or something.  Don't forget the Whimsical Designs blog hop on January 15.  I will be getting more info out there at some point, and I promise to have better pictures than this one.

I'm a bit overwhelmed...

Let me just say that I am stunned to still have 139 followers.  I haven't posted on this blog in so long that I almost forgot it was here.  That being said, I'm going to try to be more regular about it.  I won't promise I will publish a bunch of pictures, though.  It simply takes so long, with the technology I have, to upload everything and get it all on the web.  I will try to post a photo here and there, but I make no crazy promises.  :)

My life has been exciting since January.  I continue "principaling" at the tiny Hoehne School in Hoehne, CO.  And I continue my journey with Jesus.  He sustains me through so much.  I don't have a lot more to add, so I'm signing off.