Hooray! It's National Cat Day - and a Blog Hop!

Welcome to the National Cat Day Blog Hop! If you came from Sarah's Blog you are in right spot. But you want to start the fun at Haidee's Blog if you happened to start out here.

I am excited to have you hop with us! Each blogger participating in this hop is featuring a crafty project having to do with "Cat". You'll find unique ideas that have to do with Cat. We hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way.

Be sure to leave a comment at each hop to show some Bloggie Love and to qualify to win a Prize.

Now on to my project...
 

Need a gift idea for that cat lover in your life? (Or want something a little special for yourself?) These mugs are SO easy, and sure to be unique.  Here's what you need to make these:

• plain mug(s) in your choice of color - I bought these at Dollar Tree
• Contact paper for a stencil
• Non-toxic paint pen (or Sharpie marker, especially if you use white mugs)
• Cricut cartridge with your favorite cat image - I used CTMH Artistry

There are just a few steps to make these, and they are super quick! First, choose your Cricut image and decide on size. I cut my cat at 2.5".  Cut from Contact paper using the settings you use for vinyl, but with less pressure so you don't cut through the backing paper.  Peel off your cat and position it on your mug as desired. Next, use your paint pen or marker around your image as desired to create the negative image.  Because my paint pen had a brush nib type tip, I chose to show these two options - the left uses a flicking motion out from the center and the right uses a splotchy dot effect. I colored the heart cutout solidly on both.

When you're done with your image, carefully peel off the contact paper. I used the pointed hook Cricut tool to carefully peel it up while my paint was still wet.  After drying, follow the curing directions for your paint/marker to make it permanent. (Mine baked at 325 degrees for 30 minute.) Remember that these should now be hand washed, even if the original mugs are dishwasher safe!

Your next blog stop is Nana's Scrap Spot.

Here is a list of the line up, just in case you get lost:
Haidee- http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
Kim - http://katydidcards.com
Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Sarah- http://www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

Lori- http://savingmine.blogspot.com
Nana- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com
Gina - http://www.californiascrappin.com
Jearise - http://www.lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Barbara-http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Come back to Haidee's (http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/) Blog Friday October 30th to see IF you are the WINNER.

HAVE A SUPER FANTASTIC HOP!!!

Christmas Love - October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to October's stamp of the month blog hop! I know it's not even Halloween, but we all know that it's never too early to start crafting for Christmas. If you've arrived here from Angela White's blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place. Just hop along to all the blogs until you make your way back to where you started.

This month's stamp set, Twinkle, has 15 stamps ready to help you create Christmas projects - and even some non-Christmas projects. I chose to focus on Christmas, and paired it up with White Pines paper for a 2-page layout.

I used a sketch from Make It From Your Heart volume 1 for this layout.  I'm determined to get some family pictures taken this year, so I'm planning ahead with this simple, cozy looking layout.

I added some layered Cricut cuts to my stamped title for a little extra impact. I added 3-D Foam tape between the red & blue layers for added dimension, and some Red Enamel Hearts to reinforce the theme.

In the opposite corner, I added some ornaments using the stamp image, popping one up with 3-D Foam Tape, more Red Enamel Hearts, and a stamped circle I will use for some brief journaling. I used tone-on-tone stamping here to keep the color light enough that I can write over it if I need to.

Here you can see the strips of pattern paper up close - I inked the edges of everything for a more finished look. I also added another small cluster of hearts to complete a visual triangle of design elements.

If you're ready to shop, I have a clickable list below. Links open in a new window so you can remain right here in the hop and not lose your place. When you're ready to move on, be sure to leave me a comment then let's head over to Tammy Lubick's blog and see what she made for us this month.

Supplies used in this project:

October Stamp of the Month

White Pines Paper Packet

Red Enamel Hearts

3-D Foam Tape

Sponge Daubers

Stamp Pads in Cranberry, Fern, Glacier, Chocolate, and Champagne

Cricut Artiste collection