Be Inspired Challenge #51 - Thank You Notes

We have had such a wonderful month of celebrating our first birthday here at Cuttlebug Challenge, and we want to thank each and every designer and crafter that has participated. You have created amazing birthday party ideas, and this will serve as a great resource for all of us!

It's time to wrap up with the final touch of every good party, and that is the

THANK YOU NOTES

Your Challenge is to create matching THANK YOU NOTES to match your party theme, using a Cuttlebug folder of your choice,

and post them to Mr. Linky below.

Check out what our amazing Design Team has created to inspire you, and then craft away!

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You have until Tuesday night, Oct. 6th, at midnight, Pacific time, to complete the challenge, and on Thursday, October 8th, we will announce the

GRAND PRIZE WINNER, and crafter to be published

in READY, SET, CREATE MAGAZINE!!!

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We wish to thank Provo Craft, Core'dinations, Sakura, Scor-It, and EmbellishOn-Line for being our sponsors this month.

Cindy Royal: Beary Birthday Party
Rosemary Zuba: Tea Birthay Party
Amber Goble: Sweet 16	Betty Brett: Lollypop Party
Shantaie Fowler: Movie Theme Party	Meda Halmaciu: Princess Emily's Birthday
Ingrid Danvers: Flowers	Hanneke van der Linde
Michelle Borsack. Garden Party	June Houck: Spa Birthday
Beth Ullman: Tinkerbell B-day Party
Terrie Bailey: Princess Birthday Party	Dannisdoodles: Photos
Heidi Van Laar: Undersea Birthday Party	Jenn Koss: Monkey Birthday
Ellen Sosnosky: Bowling Party

Thank you so much, don't forget to sign up to be a follower we want to reach 2000 we can do it :).
Tell your friends about the celebration :)
Meda,

Making an Entrance for Your Party!

Hi! It's me, BettyBee, and I am so happy to bring you another idea for your Birthday Party Palooza. My theme this month has been Lollipops, and I want to welcome my guests, and get the party started, with cute decorations from the time they come up the walk. These were so easy to make, and I'll bet you can adapt them to your theme, too.

First I gathered paper plates, card stock, swirls that I cut with my Cricut and the Accent Essentials cartridge, some gems, Stickles, tulle netting, glue, skewers, and, of course, my

favorite Cuttlebug Folders!

Next I cut out circles with my Cricut, and embossed them with my Cuttlebug, using the D'Vine Swirls folder. Then I accented the swirls with Ice Stickles. I then adhered the big swirls that I also cut with the Cricut. These were adjusted in size with Design Studio (easy now, and I CAN'T WAIT for my GYPSY to arrive!!!)

I decorated each lollipop in it's own unique way, glued a cardstock "stick" to the bottom, and a real skewer to the back. Then I backed it with another paper plate to complete the lollipop. I wrapped the whole treat with tulle netting and tied it with a pretty pink ribbon.

They are so easy to stick in the garden, in planter boxes, or in your house in potted plants!

Last, but not least, I created a nice arrangement of them, accented with a big lucious bow for my door. What a lovely way to say "Come On In~ The Party's Here"!!

I hope you will give this a try, and enjoy having a hint of what is to come, waiting to intice your guests as they arrive at your next party!

Thank you for being a part of our amazing Cuttlebug Challenge First Birthday Party Palooza! We hope that you have been inspired with a whole world of ideas to come back to party after party.

We appreciate your comments, and your loyal following. You are like family to us, and we look forward to seeing everything that you create.

Happy crafting ~

BettyBee

How to Decorate Masks Using the Cuttlebug

Hi, this is Meda, coming forward from behind the scenes to share a tutorial.

Before we start, please take a moment to complete the survey on the right side bar. Provo Craft wants to know what size of folders you want, so don't miss this opportunity to make your opinion heard. The poll will stay active for another 2 days, so hurry up and let your friends know too.


I have always been fascinated with masquerade balls and I really love the Venetian masks!

Hence, as some of my blog readers have already guessed, a tutorial on how to make your own mask, jut in case you are invited to Princess Emily's 21st birthday party :)



Supplies:
- a papier mache or plastic mask (a very cheap one)
- Paper: Core'dinations Black Magic
- Cuttlebug: machine and Fleur de Lis folder
- Glue: white bookbinding glue or any strong liquid NON SOLVENT!!! glue
- gold glitter embossing powder
- craft knife and cutting mat
- pencil and scissors

Instructions: (click on images for larger view)


1. Detach the elastic cord from your mask.

2. Trace on the back of your Core'dinations paper and cut around the outer part of the mask. You don't have to be precise at this point but it's better to make it larger than smaller as you can cut away excess later.

3. Emboss your paper. Make sure your Fleur de Lis is straight. Your mask is bigger than the folder but this is a repeating pattern so you will be able to emboss your whole surface.

4. Adhere the embossed paper to your mask. Since the mark is not a straight surface and the cardstock is quite thick, this will not be the easiest step. However if you use enough white glue, the paper will soften and you will be able to use your hands to shape the paper on the mask surface using your fingers. DO NOT USE SOLVENT BASED GLUE as it coud harm the eyes of the one who wears the mask.

Don't worry if your mask has uncovered surfaces. You can use acrylic paint to cover them.

5. When perfectly dry (leave it dry for half a day) turn the mask over and cut the eye openings.

6. Use black acrylic paint to cover any margins showing.

7. I sanded my embossing to show the pink core of the paper but you could also paint over the embossing with a sponge and acrylic paint to get a similar aspect.







8. Use embossing powder to make a golden outline for your mask. My embossing powder has glitter in it, but you could also use glitter and glue to achieve the same result.

9. Punch holes and put back /add your elastic chord and your mask is ready to be worn at the ball.


Here is my finished birthday set. I can't wait to see how everyone's looks at the end of the month. If you are making a mask, please come back and let me know :)


Be sure to come back tomorrow for our last Birthday Palooza challenge.

Mini Gift Bags

Hi everyone, I'm Amber, DT member here at Cuttlebug Challenge.



Today I want to show you a super easy way to make party favors for your birthday guests. I have done the SWEET 16 theme this month, so I made my favors - little mini gift bags - very girly. But you can adjust the colors and the embossing to make them fit your upcoming event.

First, here are the supplies you need:



I used my Cuttlebug and the Fleur de Lis embossing folder, Spellbinder Nestabilities, stamps, ribbon, cardstock, and glassine bags (I purchased my bags from Papertrey Ink).

Next I embossed my glassine bag using my Cuttlebug. The bags emboss beautifully and look even more frosted when you're done:



I then used my Spellbinder Nestabilities to make a scalloped circle. I used the largest scalloped circle to make the pink cut-out. You could even use patterned paper.



Next I stamped my scalloped circle with a "Happy Birthday" stamp and added a jewel for the "i". I recommend doing this before you staple, glue, or tape your circle to your bag.

Then I added a bow under my circle and that's it! You have a cute and easy gift bag. Add candy or small party favors...perfect and cheap.



Don't forget to stop by Wednesday for a new challenge!
Enjoy!

Cuttlebug Creatively Yours Spotlight Sunday - Rock-N-Roll Invites

Good Sunday Morning everyone! It's Cassie and today I'm going to show you a party decoration I made for my 1950s Sock Hop/Grease theme party! This project was originally going to be a centerpiece. The records would hang down from the light fixture over my dining table. However, I've been busy working on actual *work* and my table is a mess. I honestly don't have time to clear it off to set this up, take pics, and then put it all back. But I think it makes a great banner as well - so I hung them off my mantle!

Here's the supplies you'll need to create your own records:
Cuttlebug
Circle Nestabilities
Embossing Folder - I used the music notes
Sakura Silver Gel Pen
Adhesive
Sandpaper
Coredinations Cardstock - I used a sheet from the Black Magic Collection
Black Cardstock
Clear Fishing Line or Jewelry Line

1. Cut circles using the largest circle die cut. I know that people say to cut UP - but I always have crazy mishaps so I cut DOWN -- and have no issues.
2. Using the circle nestabilities as templates, trace along the inside of each circle using the Sakura silver gel pen.

3. Cut circles from the Coredinations paper using the smalled circle die cut. Emboss and sand to reveal the color.

4. Adhere small circle to large circle. Apply adhesive along the back and attach the clear line.

A few more views. I used some glue dots to attach them to my mantle. It would drive me batty to try to line them all up the same length so I purposefully placed them at varying heights!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my banner today! I hope you've been enjoying all the inspiration this month! I know I have!! This is a resource I'll use over and over!!

Cupcake Holder Tutorial

Hi, I am June Houck. I have a cupcake holder tutorial to share in celebration of Cuttlebug Challenge blog's first birthday. All month long we have had themed challenges for Be Inspired Wednesday. My party theme is spa.
My "cupcake" is actually two washcloths rolled together, with a cherry on top :)

Supplies:
Box bottom: 10 1/2" square ( pink whitewash Core'dinations card stock)
Box top: 6 1/8" square (BasicGrey Urban Prairie "Bountiful")
Insert: 4 7/8" square (coordinating green cardstock)
Scor-it
Cuttlebug embossing folder
rolling pin
circle cutter
3 1/8" acetate circle
5/8" circle punch
strong adhesive (e.g. photo tape or red line tape)






Box bottom (pictured above):
1. Score at 3 1/4" on all four sides.
2. One one pair of opposite sides, cut score lines.
3. Orient your paper so that the cut lines from step 2 are vertical. On the four corner rectangles draw two horizontal lines 1 1/2" from the top and bottom. Cut on these lines.
4. To create "notches": measure in 1/2" on the four short flaps. Draw a segment to edge score line (see above). Cut off these eight triangles.


5. Use a rolling pin to emboss the 4 sides of the box. I recommend standing on the rolling pin for more definition; this is also a great massage for your arches :)
6. Using photo tape, assemble the box bottom.



Box top (pictured above):
1. Score 6 1/8" square at 1" on all four sides.
2. One one pair of opposite sides, cut score lines.
3. To create "notches": measure in 3/16" on the four short flaps. Draw a segment to edge score line (see above). Cut off triangles.
4. Cut 2 7/8" circle out of the center. Cut a 3 3/8" scallop circle out of coordinating (green) card stock. Cut 3 1/4" circle from the center of the green scallop circle. Attach acetate to the green scallop ring. Attached to box top.
5. Using photo tape, assemble top.



Insert (pictured above):
1. Score 4 7/8" square at 1" on all four sides.
2. One one pair of opposite sides, cut score lines.
3. To create "notches": eyeball to measure. Cut off eight triangles.
4. Cut 3" circle out of the center. Using 5/8" circle punch, create finger holes.
5. Using photo tape, assemble insert.
6. Place the insert inside the box bottom.
7. Add the cupcake!

I hope I have inspired you to make this sweet treat! If you have questions or comments, please leave them on this post, or on my blog.
Happy crafting!
June

PS the current challenge for this week is Centerpiece more info here

Fab Friday TV: Let's Get ready for Halloween!

Hi everyone, I'm Michelle..
Fall is officially here (yay!) and this means that Halloween is just about one month away...so today I'm happy to bring you this easy tutorial for these Halloween Goodie Holders.

Does this look a bit familiar?
If you are thinking....YES!...well, you're right!
Today's Halloween Goodie Holder is a slightly different version of the Garden Party Seed Pocket Party Favor tutorial that I shared here at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog last week......with different measurements (this pocket is taller and narrower than the Seed Pocket Party Favor...so when you cut and prepare your card stock, you'll be getting 2 Halloween Goodie Holders out of one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of card stock!)

I LOVE creating things for Halloween, and this Goodie Holder has always been a favorite of mine...and when I hand them out on Halloween...it's fun to see children's faces light up when they receive theirs...

Last year my then High School Freshman daughter thought that she and her friends were "too old" for these Goodie Holders... but I made them anyway...and she half reluctantly brought them to school... where they were a BIG hit and were snatched up quickly by her friends at lunchtime..(as I suspected they would...afterall...what kid doesn't like some lunch time "contraband"!)...She actually ran out of Goodie Holders....despite the fact that I made "oodles and oodles" of them.
(by the way...I'll be making lots of these again for her Sophomore... aka "too old" friends.... again this year!)

You will love how simple these are to make...and if you've got lots of trick or treaters who visit you on October 31st...you'll be able to make dozens of these in no time at all...

When I prep materials for these holders each year... I prepare multiples of everything (i.e I cut and punch every item needed for each Holder in multiples of 20 or 25)
By doing this, you'll be amazed at how many you can "crank out" in an hour!

So now... let's get busy!
Here's what you'll need, as pictured above:

Halloween Colored card stock (I am using Core'dinations Color Core and Stampin Up!)...cut to 4 1/4 x 11
Halloween print paper
Assorted Punches (Shapes, Halloween)
Circle punch
Sakura Souffle Pens
Score-it Scoreboard
Cuttlebug Machine
Cuttlebug Halloween Embossing Folders (I used Spider web and Skeleton Scroll)
Sanding block
Trimmer, adhesives, fine detail scissors
Goodies: Pixie Stix, lollipops, chocolate bars (inclusive of an extra for YOU...because we all KNOW how hard it is not to 'sample" the goodies when we are creating!)

After you watch the Fab Friday TV video...please be sure to leave a comment to let me know what you think of this easy little Halloween project......and if you make these Goodie Holders... come back and leave a link so that we can visit and see what you've created! (I LOVE visiting everyone's blogs!)

Wishing you a wonderfully creative day!
Michelle

PS the current challenge for this week is Centerpiece more info here

*** Please note: In the video I note to cut your black card stock to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 THIS IS AN ERROR.. Your card stock for the pocket should be cut to measure 4 1/4 x 11...and then scored at 5 1/2