Monster Cupcake Toppers--using the Mini Monsters Cartridge

Does anyone else out there like to barter? I do. It is fun. I have recently traded for burlap. The burlap will be a post of its own. I need to do some hardware shopping and then I can post about the burlap. Even more recent than the burlap though, I traded with Sister #5. Much to Sister #5 and her daughter's dismay, Sister #5's granddaughter wanted to have a monsters birthday party. (Maybe next year she will agree to the princess party)
Sister #5 asked if I could make monster cupcake toppers. I said sure, I was sure I could piece something together on the Gypsy. In exchange, I asked if she could make me some valances. I have had some Cars fabric sitting her for what now seems like eternity. I had told Steph (sorry Babe!) I would make valances for Brenden's room. I don't have a space for my sewing machine. To use it, I have to unbury it, clean off a place to put it, hope I get my project done, clean up and put the machine back in the closer.  There also isn't any really good place to put it. So, the valances are still unmade. :( tsk tsk. I truly feel horrible.  Sister #5 on the other hand, has a sewing room. I asked if she could sew the fabric up for me. She agreed.

I had starting piecing monsters together on the Gypsy. They were turning out but they weren't completely what I had in mind. I was out and about and "OH LOOK!!! Mini Monsters is on sale!!!!" Yep! I now own the Mini Monsters Cricut cartridge.  This one is going to be fun!

Let's take a peak shall we?

All the monsters and MOST of their corresponding parts/layers were cut at 2.5 inches.

Here are some of the monsters waiting to be cut!

Gross Monster is found on page 38.

Goblin Monster is on page 39.

Such scary names for Monsters that didn't turn out so scary...

Monster is on page 30

Boo is on page 37

Creepy is on page 31

Icky is on page 28

Ooky is on page 29. 

In the book Ooky has one eye. I gave him two.

Mummy is on page 35.

I did not use all the 'mummy wrap' that was cut out.

I didn't like how he looked with it going across his face so I didn't use it.

This photo was taken by the birthday girl herself.

Apparently "Gammy" didn't know the little birthday monster was taking pictures until she went to take the pictures off of her camera. {Gammy loves Mya}

I did cut the shadow. I put the sticks (thanks Barb!!!) in between the shadow and the top layer.

Each Monster has googlie eyes.

Some were definitely easier to assemble than others.

Those little grins would stick to everything but the Monsters...

It was fun and I've been told they were the hit of the party!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to see you back soon!

~hugs Jen

Linking up here:

A Cars Birthday Party

We partied on New Year's Day! A birthday party for a very special 2 year old boy! Steph's (yes, the Steph I mention often) little boy turned two. The theme was Disney/Pixar's Cars.  Steph and I (and some help from Jim too) made the invitations.  Steph and I agreed on ideas for the tables and what sorts of decorations she wanted. She did the shopping and I went to work.

Let's take a look!

Here's the invitation:
We stamped the front...

The inside was done using Word... (and the thing this invitation is sitting on...a sneak peek at the Christmas present I want to share with you *smile*)

The birthday banner was cut out using the street sign shapes found on the Disney Pixar Cars Cricut cartridge. (I believe we went with 5.5 inches) The letters were cut out using the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.

I cut out various other shapes from the Cars cartridge and put them on skewers. There is floral foam inside the buckets and I stuck the skewers into the foam.

The cuts on this cartridge are very intricate. McQueen was cut at a couple different sizes. I don't know if he is truly a pain in the bottom side or if I was too tired to be working on the project, but he ended up in the trash *gasp*
I do like how the buckets turned out. It was super windy the day of the party so some of the shredded paper covering the floral foam blew away.

The tables were decorated like roads...

Now I can't take credit for the cake, but it wouldn't be a party without a cake right? Here's the cake. It was done by our local bakery. I think they did a fine job!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!! Love and hugs from Uncle Jim and Aunt Jen {heart}
Steph, I hope the craftiness lived up to your expectations! It was fun (and I'm still taking over in October next year...love you too!)

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will leave a comment. I am linking up at Someday Crafts for Whatever Goes Wednesday and Passionately Artistic

A 30 Thirty Sucks! Gift

Our friend Nikki recently turned 30. While I truly believe that my life started at 30, everyone poked fun at me turning 30 and we all poke fun at others turning 30...Nikki's 30th wasn't any different. Ok, except that she celebrated hers this weekend (together with Halloween).

I wanted to do something fun and different. For Dallas' 40th we made the May Your 30's R.I.P. flower bouquet. For Steph's 30th we made her a survival kit (the blog didn't exist yet, I guess I need to put some pictures together to make a post about it). 30 Sucks it was!! Here is how it started...

Get it? Thirty Sucks!

Not so fancy looking. I admit it! 

Let's add some finishing touches and see what you think.

 Still not done, but getting closer! You can see her party invitation in the background.

Nikki came to work on Friday dressed as an ear of corn. I, of course, had to roll with it. There are lots of cute cuts on the Smiley Cards cartridge, but they aren't necessarily a cut you are going to use everyday! Thanks Nikki for giving me a reason to cut this...

I think he is CUTE!!!!!!!

So here is the end result for Nikki's 30 sucks gift. 30 Suckers in a basket made all cutsie!

 I put the corn cob on a popsicle stick and added him to the basket.  Nikki loves ice cream *what girl doesn't* so it was a great time to use the ice cream cone cut.

Nikki~ It has been my experience that 30 doesn't suck. That is truly when my life started! It had some bumps (and always will) But I know so much more about myself now and things are working out just great!!! Sure, there are parts that aren't ideal, but you can make the best of it and live each day to the fullest or you can complain about it and be unhappy. I choose to make the best of it (even if people disagree with my/our choices) and hope you will choose to the make the best of  it too! You are a strong and beautiful woman. Your dreams are waiting for you and no one but you can pursue them! (just be sure to send a post card now and then!) I am grateful I have been blessed with the opportunity to call you my friend! xoxo

I hope the same for my blogger friends. Life truly is what you make of it. There are people I know that aren't happy if they aren't complaining. That takes too much work and gains you a reputation. Surround yourself with happy people that don't create drama and your world can be a wonderful place to be!

~Til next time ~ Jen

I am linking up here -- Please visit them and see the other great ideas in blog world!!!!