Friday 11 February 2011

30,000 Visitor Blog Candy!!

Hi Blogland. Who'da thunk that when we started our little Blog some 18 Months or so ago now (seems longer some how!!) that we would have had 30 visitors!, let alone 30,000!!So, to celebrate this mile stone I am giving away some Blog Candy!!
Firstly, I appreciate that not everyone has been bitten by the Cricut bug (why not?). So it's an either/or Blog Candy! So you have Two chances of winning!
I am giving away a rare Cricut Cartridge called "Straight from the Nest". This is a brand new cartridge and has not been used and therefore has not be copied to a Gypsy Machine! The other Candy is for those who may not have a Cricut and have been bitten by the Cuttle"bug". It is a selection of Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Called Cindy Loo... All comments left between now and the 28th February 2011 will be entered into a random draw to win one of the prizes.
On the 01st of March 2011 I will make the draw and let you all know who won.. As it is an either/or draw, when leaving a comment state Cricut, Cuttlebug or both at the start of your comment so that I can put you in the right draw! I guess there's little point in someone winning a Cricut Cartridge they can't use! The draw is open to everyone and the prizes will be posted to you wherever you are in the world.
So good luck everyone and thanks for visiting us!
That all said and done, shall we get on with some crafting!!?I made this project for no other reason than to play with one of the new Martha Stewart Deep Edger Punches and a couple of the new Marianne Designs dies.As you know, photography is not my best attribute and I have tried to get the best pictures I can, but it's only in the flesh that you can really appreciate the true elegance that the punch and dies have created, albeit with a little help from me!!
So, here's a step by step how it was made. Grab a cuppa, it's ganna be a long one!To start with I punched a border into some A3 Cream coloured card stock using the Martha Stewart Scroll Heart Trim (M42-70034).I then scored at 4" intervals and folded the punched border into a box shape.This was done twice, one for the top and one for the bottom.Next, I cut 4 strips from the same card stock, 11" in length and 1/2" wide.I scored down the middle of each strip and folded them in half length ways.And then applied them into the four corners of each "heart box".
At this point I was tempted to add some Acetate to the "windows" but looking back I'm glad that I didn't as the finished project looks great just as it is and I don't think the Acetate would have done it any favours!.As I was planning to hang something within the box I needed a lid and a base so I cut 2 pieces of card 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"and scored 1/4" in from each edgeand folded in the sides to form a shallow box.One for the topand one for the bottom!So, that's base done, now on to the cage in the middle.
You may recall I made something similar to this project at about this time last year? Back then I used the Cricut, but this time a decided to use a Bird Cage die (LR0146) from Marianne Designs.
These dies work in most leading manufactures machines, such as the Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Grand Calibur and of course the Cuttlebug. If you are using them in the CB, then here's the combination "sandwich" you will need to cut and emboss the dies.Start off with an A and B plate,your card stock and die,then add your C plate and pass through your machine.To emboss you will still use your A and B plates. Turn the the die over keeping the card stock in place.Add your No Shims Mat and this time add another B plate and pass through your machine.Once you take the card stock out of the die it will be cut and embossed.You will need four of the images to make up the cage.To make the cage dimensional I added a tab to one of the sides using Glossy Accents and attached the next side of the cageuntil they were all connected.I then folded all the sidesand connected the last two pieces together,finishing off the cage by gluing the tops togetherone by one.Now for the heart to hang inside the cage. I used the Marianne Designs Creatables Heart (LR0159) cutting it out twice in Gold Mirror card.The process to cut and emboss this die is exactly the same as when the cages were cut out,but when cutting the second heart turn your card stock over so you cut in reverse,so that when the Gold side is facing up backed to the first heart the images match up, OK the back heart will be debossed as opposed to embossed but at least the images will match and I doubt that anyone would notice or care that one side is embossed and one side is debossed.Before gluing the two pieces together I added a length of threadand then hung it in the centre of the cage.And then placed it inside the tower...Phew, are you still with me? I said it was going to be a long one!I then cut out a couple of the heart shapes in Cream card stock,this time hanging them from the top of the tower.Last but by no means least I printed my sentiment onto the same Cream card stock, cutting it out with a Spellbinders Tag before applying it to the top of the project.And that's it!Here are a couple of close ups to try and show the true dimension of this project!

Well done if you made it this far, and don't forget to leave your comment to be in with a chance to win some great Blog candy.
See you soon.
@ndy

37 comments:

  1. Both please - 30,000 now that is amazing and just to think...you weren't even sure about keeping it going - Well done Andy.

    For anyone who doesn't have a chance to visit the shop in person can I just say that I saw this Andy creation today and it is stunning.

    Your photos weren't as bad as you thought Andy LOL but real life is even better - an amazing piece of work.

    Toni :o)

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  2. Wow, your project is gorgeous! I love that elegant heart punch, I haven't seen that one yet. Congrats on 30,000 visitors! I am probably responsible for 1000 of those! What a fantastic giveaway! I have both a Cricut and a Cuttlebug so I would like to be included in both please! Thank you!

    Melissa
    www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com

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  3. Cricut or Cuttlebug!
    Well Andy this is breathtakingly beautiful! Absolutely magnificent! You are so creative!
    Congrats on all the hits on your blog I'm not surprised I love to see your creations.
    Thanks for the chance to win
    Juliexx

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  4. This is absolutely amazing. Talk about breathtaking!

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  5. Hi Andy x I am very definately a Cuttle "Bug" lady x as my credit card bill with the pinnacle name on can testify he! he! x thanks for lovely blog candy and love this project so very much x leigh x (aka charitycrafter

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  6. I love giveaways. I love my Cricut and Cuttlebug too.

    debbiehuggins@hotmail.com

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  7. Both! What a great project and thank you for the step-by-step instructions! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!

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  8. Wow!!! What a fantastic project. You are so creative. I would never have thought of using the dies and punches in that way. Thanks for the long instructions. (Cricut)

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  9. This is truly spectacular and oh my, such a lot of work you put into it.
    I have Cricut and Cuttlebug and love them both. It is hard to say which one gets used the most. I would be lost without them.
    What a great giveaway.
    Myrna

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  10. " Cuttlebug"
    What an amazing project - it looks so complicated!
    Thanks for the chance to win in your draw

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  11. This is an amazing tutorial! Looks amazing! I am your newest follower, found you from the Cuttlebug spot! I would love to win the Cricut Cartridge! Thanks for the chance!

    Come by my blog:
    www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

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  12. Both. It would be awesome to win either! I always love seeing your projects. They are so different than other crafts I see. Congrats on 30K!

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  13. cuttlebug, I own cartridge.

    Simple beautiful design you made. LOVE IT.

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  14. Congratulations!!! I love your website, your demo's are so inspiring. Your photography is way better than my crafting!!! I'm a cricut girl BTW :-)

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  15. Wow Andy! What an elegant project! I would love the Cartridge if I won then I'd have a go at your gorge birdcage!
    Heather

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  16. First of all, congratulations, WOW!!!! that is a lot! Second of all, this project is amazing, so delicate and it took my breath away!

    See you next Tuesday on the Cuttlebug Spot!

    Have a great sunday

    love
    Jannie

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  17. Congrats! What a beautiful project and so creative. TFS I am a cricut and cuttlebug fan!!
    shewhodreamz at gmail dot com

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  18. Both! I have both a Cricut and a Cuttlebug, so thank you for the opportunity to win either of those items.

    Your project is lovely (as always!) I have a question, though...... What paper did you use for the MS punched edges? It must have been at least 16 inches long (unless you glued two 8 inch strips together.)

    Wendy T.

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  19. WOW ANDY!!!! This is so very elelgant. I had to start with that. Now let me say a WOW To the 30,000! That is awesome. Congrats to you. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  20. OOPS, forgot to add cricut! Thanks, again.

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  21. Both: I'm a new Cricut fan and an old Cuttlebug one. I recently found your site when I was googling for cards using the Sycamore Tree folder and I don't know why I haven't seen it before. I love all your creations and am so inspired, thank you for sharing. This post is no exception, it's so elegant. Congratulations on attaining 30,000 and I can only see that number soaring into 6 digits before long.
    I eagerly await your next creation. Much appreciated.

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  22. *either would be great* !! Wow !! 30 000 soo many in so little time-well done.This project is wonderful,I think its brought back my mojo. much love Becky-Bex

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  23. WOW WOW WOW Love it stunning beautiful creative what else can be said. Just goes to show how much people appreciate all the hard work and effort you put in to the Blog. Just keep your wonderful ideas and inspirations coming. (both). well Bigshot does that count lol.

    Lyn (wed)

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  24. This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Love the detail you put into this project. Thank you for sharing how you put it together.

    Amy EK

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  25. Hi Andy, I will give it another go at posting a comment and see if I succeed. So pleased to see another beautiful creation from you - not surprised that you have reached 30,000 visitors. Thanks for doing a draw with fab prices - if I'm lucky enough to win the cricut cart would be my preference but a girl like me would be happy with anything. Your valentine card look great on the photos as well by the way! Many thanks, Winnie

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  26. OMG, Andy! this is breathtaking! I adore 3D projects and this is one of the most beautiful and creative ones I've ever seen! Magnificent job! A huge congrats on the visiters, but certainly no surprise! xxD

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  27. New to your blog and this project looks really beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us. Thanks for all your advice on my first visit to your shop, would love to will either as I have both a cricut and cuttlebug. Karen.x

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  28. Ohoo! What a treat to the eyes. And the tutorial is so easy to follow. You have a wonderful blog. Thanks for the chance to win. I would like to be counted in the cuttlebug section ,as I don't have cricut. Regards

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  29. Cricut.
    Wow wow wow.this is a wonderful project and i am already wondering how to disguise another punch in my collection so other half dosent find out!! Thinking i maybe able to adapt this into a lovely wedding card/gift for my sister. thanks for the inspiration.

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  30. Ooh, that cartridge has been on my wish list for quite awhile now!

    Your project is amazing!

    Thanks so much for the chance to win! :)

    -Kelli
    fabulousfrog@live.com

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  31. Hi Andy, I love this project and because its broken down into easy steps, I almost feel I could have a go myself! Why do you feel surprised that you've had so many visitors, all the projects you show on here are amazing, and I love visiting the shop too and looking at all the projects round the window sills. I got a Cricut (just the little one) for Christmas so would love to add to my cartridge collection, please put me in the draw for your one!
    Best wishes Karen xxx

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  32. Another great card to inspire me - so pleased to be one of the 30,000!! Would love to win either prize, you know how difficult it is for me to get my hands on stuff. How nice would it be to receive these in the post. Keep up the good work

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  33. Both.
    Such an stunning project. Thanks for sharing your wonderful projects with us. You will surely have many, many more visitors to your blog in the future. So kind of you to offer such wonderful candy. Thank you!

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  34. Cuttlebug, please. This may have been long but so well worth the while! It's a gorgeous piece and I'm amazed at the talent it took to come up with the very idea, let alone the accomplishment. Just beautiful. TFS and congratulations on 30,000 hits!

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  35. Cuttlebug for me also. Love it and congrats on 30,000 which is no surprise here. This blog is a wonderful source of inspiration.

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  36. Cartridge please! Wow! Your project is just beautiful!
    Congratulations on reaching 30,000, and thanks for all the inspiration you share with your projects.

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  37. Cartridge please! Wow! Your project is just beautiful!
    Congratulations on reaching 30,000, and thanks for all the inspiration you share with your projects.

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