CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Friday, March 4, 2011

It's All About the Green Blog Hop Day #1

It's All About the Green Blog Hop
Day #1

You should have arrived from Melissa's page at http://disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/  If not, please go back to the beginning at Kathryn's page  http://wamfamily.blogspot.com/ and enjoy all the great projects!

I knew with St. Patrick's Day approaching that I wanted to a make a St. Patrick's Day decoration for my house, especially since I'm partially Irish! :)  After searching through my Cricut cartridges, I realized I really didn't have any St. Patrick's Day items on my cartridges, so I had to make due.  In the end this project turned out really cute, and it's one of my favorite things I've created! 
Be sure to read to the bottom for a chance to win blog candy!
Everything seen here was cut by the Cricut! :)  I love my gypsy for this type of project!
First, since I didn't have any cartridges that had a four leaf clover, I used George and Basic shapes to layer 4 hearts, a rectangle and a circle (for the base of the stem) to create a four leaf clover.  I rotated the hearts and lined everything up to make it look like I wanted.  I cut it first in dark green.
Then I raided my recycling and I used a granola bar box to make some thin chipboard.  I wanted to have a stronger backing for the 4 leaf clover.  I broke open the box, removed any sticky areas and then made sure I stuck it to my mat really well.  I then changed the blade depth to 6, and put pressure on maximum.  I cut the 4 leaf clover again.  I then mounted the green cardstock clover to the cardboard clover to make it stiffer and stronger.

Next, I cut a banner from the Christmas Cartridge.  I stretched it larger than 12 inches and cut it once in the same dark green.  Then I scooted the banner to each edge of the mat so only the bows showed (There wasn't a layer for the bows alone.)  and then I cut the bows in light green.   

 I had hand cut the edges connecting to the banner to make the bows stand alone.  I used a green gel pen to add detail lines.  I then cut "A Wee Bit Irish" in white with the same light green as a shadow.  I used the Simply Sweet font.  I also found a 3 leaf clover on Indie Art.  I cut it out in a matching pattern paper and inked the edges green.

Next, I made a leprechaun using bits and pieces from Every Day paper dolls.  Paper Doll Dress Up has a leprechaun, but of course, I don't have that cartridge.  First, I cut about a 6 inch body out of tan paper.  I then used the baseball players shirt and pants to cut the light green shirt and the striped pants. 
 I then cut the fisherman's vest and hat in dark green.  I unlocked the ratio lock on the hat and stretched it taller so it would look more like a top hat.  I hand cut the light green stripe across the hat and used the same Indie art 3 leaf clover for an accent.  On the vest I added 2 large orange brads at the pockets.  I popped the 3 leaf clover and the vest up with popdots for added dimension.  I used George and Basic Shapes to make the buckles for the hat and his boots.  I cut 3 rounded corner squares with the center removed.  I had gold seed beads, so I applied Zig pen glue and stick the seed beads to it.  (The are really cute in person!)  I cut the hair and bow tie in orange and adding orange ink to the edges and gel pen accents.  Lastly, I added two googly eyes and drew the smile on in black Zig marker.  Lastly, I stuck my finger in a red ink pad and used it to make cute little cheeks.  I love him!

Next, I used copper wire to attach the 4 leaf clover to the banner.  I was sure to punch the holes through the cardboard as well.  (I even added some small cardboard squares to the back of the banner to reinforce it as well!)  I also added copper wire to the top to make a hanger.

Here it is hanging on my front door!

Now, for BLOG CANDY! 
To qualify for blog candy:
1.  become a follower
2.  leave a comment on this project
3.  leave a way I can get in contact with you
4.  If you visit both days, and leave 2 comments, you will double your chances of winning!
I will choose a Blog Candy winner on Monday, March 7th.  

May the luck of the Irish be with you! 

Next Stop: 













43 comments:

  1. Way too COOL!!! I need you to make me one. Great job with this project. Thank you for participating in this hop.

    Blessing,

    Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adorable. Thanks for the tutorial too! I'm a new follower. TFS!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a darling wall hanging! Your leprechaun is adorable! I'm a new follower, and you can find me at ksjennings at gmail dot com or www.kareljcreations.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great door hanging! New follower! TFS

    kimsheppard6 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a new follower... Fabulous door hanger.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful idea and it turned out fabulous!!
    Cindy
    http://scrappingroom.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. You did a great job on your 4 leaf clover! Love the finished result! I'm already a follower!

    Melissa
    www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love scrappers...if we dont have an image on a cartridge, we find a way to make our own!! Great job on your four leaf clover! I am already your follower!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love it! This is such a pretty wall hanging,I know all my Irish family would simply love this! Great job
    I am a new follower of your blog
    TFS and a chance to win
    Bonnie
    http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com
    ascrapabove(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is so great. Thanks for the instructions too. new follower, www.thefruitofmyhands.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMG! Want a great project...LOVE IT! TfS!
    jennyplace26@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is sooo cute---I love it.Thanks and I am a new follower:)
    Anita
    amc35045@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Adorable art. Thanks for sharing. I'm a follower.


    http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com
    vwilson577 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sooo Cute. Love it. Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower. Be back tomorrow.

    :)Patti
    http://www.shortnscrappy.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. cute wall decor nice job calebwmartin@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a new follower. You did a great job piecing things from different cartridges. That's what I love about Gypsy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Super cute...Love that you recycled...One of my favorite things to do. Love the green project.
    smiles...Tammy
    Http://tamminniesdesigns.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. super cute idea... love it!!!!
    WOW this is wonderful!!!!

    Leah
    www.leahscarddesigns.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great project and I love your detailed instructions! Thanks!
    kristyscraps@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Way to recycle!!!! I use our Tony's pizza boxes all the time for word books. Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very cute idea! I'm always looking for new things to hang on my door so this would be perfect!

    dmcarlisle09atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fabulous!

    Janice
    www.cricutconfessions.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Perfect for your family--and blessings upon you all


    http://www.KristasPaperCafe.com
    KristaInMN at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, considering you didn't have St. Patty's day cuts, you did very well! Love what you created!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Adorable door decoration.
    username at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. That turned out so great! I love the idea of layering hearts and a circle and rect for the stem...I dont think I would have thought of that lol
    TFS
    Theresa
    tmdettloff@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wonderful door hanger! Your leprechaun is so adorable. Great idea using a granola box!
    smile4jenn(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a great hanging. TFS and the tutorial.
    Debbie
    http://craftywizard.blogspot.com
    debbie_craine at hot mail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Adorable project! Clever idea of your granola box. Thanks for sharing!

    Ps. New follower here ;0)

    Gina L.
    happymom2010learning at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great job on the 4 leaf clover. I'm a new follower. Thanks for sharing.

    Babe
    youiesmom@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love it - great idea.
    mmlmn @polarcomm.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Very cute. I love it.

    susanslomski@yahoo.com
    http://sueinct.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great project! I love the granola box idea! I'm a follower now!
    j.berb@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. that is soo cute!! tfs
    brenna
    rbanderson@live.ca

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is a great door hanger. I am a follower and a Wee bit Irish. Love your blog design. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win. patnbobcuddy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. This sign is awesome! I love how you created your own four leaf clover! It came out great!

    Kristin
    ksully4597 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Very impressive. Def a new follower.
    nana5604@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love your project. Its so cute. Thanks for the inspiration.
    TFS
    Michelle
    mpetrovich23 at yahoo dot com

    ps I'm a follower

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great project. I love how you made what you need with the carts you have and didn't let that stop you. TFS the inspiration and the chance to win! Many scrappy hugs!

    Christel (Scrappin' Sista)
    http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com
    askscrappinsista (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your door hanger is so adorable.
    Kathy
    Katsews at gmail dotcom

    ReplyDelete