Man's Best Friend Layout

Hi Cricut FANatics!  This is Rita with Rita's Paper Obsession.  February is the month to celebrate love and I wanted to remember the love of our pets with a layout.

Dogs are great examples of how to live life to it's fullest.  We can learn many life lessons from our four legged friends:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Using Paper Pups, I cut the following:  from black cardstock 3" Paw using circle feature and 4" Sundog; from white cardstock 2 5/8" Collar and Buckle; 1 3/4" "Best Friend"; 4" Sundog using the blackout feature.

I applied black and brown ink using a stiple brush to the photo mats, dog image and title.  Stickles were used to create a glittering collar and a clear gem was added to the dog cut.

I ran the dog collar through my Xyron sticker maker and applied red glitter.  On the title I applied red glitter to the heart.  For the buckle I used a Versamark ink pad to adhere silver embossing powder.

I used a paw stamp and Versamark ink to create a background of little paw prints.  Unfortunately I ran out of time to locate a picture to put on my layout so I stamped the mat with a few bones until I can get my picture printed.

Thank you for stopping by and may you run, romp and play daily.

Designed by:  Rita Poteat
Cartridges:  Paper Pups
Cricut Machines:  Expression
Other materials:  Black and brown ink, stiple brush, red glitter, Versamark ink, silver embossing powder, embossing heat gun, paw and bone stamps from a set I purchased a Michaels.

Circut + Pier 1 = Inspiration

Hi, Lori from The Singing Shell.  Sometimes I get inspiration for my cards from the strangest places.  This time I got my inspiration from the Pier 1 Imports Christmas Penguin.  The little penguin with his foot in the cupcake was just too cute to pass up.  I thought it would make a great birthday card for winter if I could find the perfect penguin from one of my cartridges and alter it.  To give the card a more vintage look as opposed to the bright, Christmas original: I chose some soft and feminine colors.  Even the penguin is not solid black.  I used distress inks, lace, distress file for the paper edges to complete the look.

1.  I needed a chubby little gal like the one in the Pier 1 penguin so I got her from Jolly Holidays.  So that just goes to show ya that Jolly Holidays ain't just for Christmas! :)
2.  I hid the face using the Gypsy and drew eyes and eyebrows like the Pier 1 penguin.
3.  Unfortunately, I had to perform minor surgery on my gal.  The little feet were attached right at the tummy so I cut them off (ouch!).  I cut thin pieces of cardstock to make legs and attached the feet.
4.  The bow is from Paper Pups.  I added glitter to add a little texture and fun.
5.  The cupcake is from From My Kitchen.  I added glitter to layer because the frosting layers were white on white and wanted it stand out a bit.
6.  The pennants are hand cut and were added onto the twine with Glossy Accents.
7.  I added the crochet ribbon and distressed the edges of my paper.

Designed by ~ Lori Sjogren
Machines Used ~ Cricut Create
Supplies used ~ Cricut: Jolly Holidays, From My Kitchen, Paper Pups. Paper:  Prima and Webster Pages.  Other: Tim Holtz Antique Linen & Black Soot Distress Pads, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Marker, Webster Pages Crochet Ribbon, Donna Salazar Pralines & Cream Fairy Dust Glitter, other glitter and twine from my stash.