Thursday, February 28, 2013

Introducing the new Design Team!

A big THANK YOU to all the people who applied to be part of Cut it Up Challenge Blog's Design Team for its third term!  There's so much talent out there, it was a really tough job narrowing it down to fill the available slots!

Here is the new Design Team!  You can click on their names to visit their blogs.  The first challenge for our new team is next Friday, March 8th.  We hope you come back then and check out their amazing projects!

First, the returning members in alphabetical order:

Hi, My name is Anita Thibodeau and I am known as ScrappyHappyMommy.  I live in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and have been happily married for over 6 years to an amazing husband.  I am a mother to 3 great children (1 boy and 2 girls) and am currently on Maternity leave.  I am a full time elementary music teacher and I LOVE my job.  I have been crafting since I was 10, mostly sewing, tole painting and cross stitch, that is until I received my first Cricut, then it was love at first cut.  I got into scrapbooking after the birth of my son and have since been addicted to it.  Besides scrapbooking, I love cardmaking, and seeing what creation I can make from a piece (or more) of paper, and things from my stash.  I have been a part of Cut it Up since the beginning and am very blessed to craft beside such wonderfully talented ladies. 

 I’ve always been crafty.  I knit, was into counted cross-stitch for a few years, made beaded Christmas tree ornaments.  I’ve kept a scrapbook since I was a girl.  It included grainy, out of focus black and white photos taken on school field trips and around my home, locks of hair from when I got it cut, and paint samples from when I painted my bedroom walls (pink and yellow.)  When I discovered scrapbooking, I took that old scrapbook apart and re-made it using all acid-free materials.  I got frustrated with alphabet stickers, though, because I was always running out of the letters I needed.  I wanted the Quickutz, then the Sizzix.  While I was saving my money to buy one, I found out about the Cricut.  The rest, as they say, is history!  I now have two Cricut Expressions, a Gypsy, and a Bosskut Gazelle, and use all of them to make scrapbook layouts, cards, and other paper items as well.  I'm honored and excited to be managing the Cut it Up Challenge Blog!

Hi everyone!  I am 27 years old and my husband and I live in Bismarck, North Dakota. My husband and I have been married 3 years and have been together for a total of 7 years. We have a one year old cat named Nightfury named for the Nightfury dragon in the movie "How To Train Your Dragon". I am a substitute teacher in multiple school districts and hold a music education teacher's license. I started scrapbooking in high school in 2000 when a friend introduced me to it and have been hooked ever since and things have only become more addicting since acquiring a Cricut Expression and entering the paper crafting blog world. Other than paper crafting, my other interests are reading, variety of crafts, live classical music(and many other genres), cooking, fitness(love Zumba), Disney movies(date night for my husband and I is almost always seeing a Disney movie), and dancing! I am also currently on the Let's Scrap Design Team for a second term and am very excited to be on the first Cut It Up Design Team!
Hello!  My name is Karen.  I am very excited to be on the Cut It Up Design Team!  I have been happily married to my husband for 20 years.  Our oldest daughter is 19.  She is starting her 2nd year at college majoring in Dance.  My second daughter is 15.  We love crafting together!  My youngest child is a boy who is 9.  He enjoys playing flag football and baseball.  I started making scrapbook pages about 8 years ago.  I still enjoy making them but when I received my first Cricut I really got into making cards.  I use my Cricut and Gypsy for just about everything I make.  I also like making altered items like notebooks, frames, and chipboard albums.  I started my blog in June 2011 and have loved every minute of it!

Please warmly welcome the newest members of the Cut it Up Challenge Blog Design Team!
Here they are, also in alphabetical order:

 Hi, my name is Christy.  I have been scrapbooking since just before my oldest was born 13 years ago.  My scrappy style looks nothing like where I started and a lot of that is thanks to the amazing work posted online by so many talented designers, most of which I found through challenge blogs.  They inspire me to think outside the box and I have loved where it has led me.  I have recently discovered card making and altered projects and even love making mini albums, but always come back to my first love . . . paper layouts!  Crafting is my "me time".  I find it so comforting to surround myself with a pile of paper crafting supplies and to get to tell a story with photos of the people that mean everything to me.

 Hi, I'm Jessica from Crafty Mrs.   I am a teacher by day and a crafter by weekend.  I have been married to my middle school sweetheart for 5 years.  He just finished "crafting" me my dream home this past year.  I have a well-loved niece and nephew that tend to be the main recipients of my craft creations.  Paper crafting is my main hobby, but I dabble with other mediums as well.  My favorite tools in my craft loft are my Cricut, Cuttlebug, and sewing machine.  I am looking forward to sharing my creations!

Hi!  My name is Kim.  I'm a married mom of two boys living in NC where I've worked as a scrapbook instructor for the past 8 years.  My family and I just recently moved back home after living abroad in Australia.  It was a wonderful experience where I met so many scrapbook enthusiasts who share a passion for paper as much as I do.  So whether it's scrapbooking, card making or sewing; if there's an event, then count me in even if it takes me around the world.

Hello to all!  My name is Migdalia and I am from New York.  I am 42 yrs old and with a background in Sales.  This year my other half and I will be making our 15 years together.  We have a bird named Fred who loves to whistle.  I have a younger sister and a handsome nephew.  I started crafting several years ago but on 2010 I had began with setting up my blog but never completed it.  Then on 2011, I began to pick up where I left off.  My blog was set and I was introduced to bloggie world.  Love it!
I use my Cricut and Gypsy all the time but I have been introduced to other tools like, the Cuttlebug, Spellbinders dies, and other crafting tools which I enjoy using on my projects.  I love to make cards, especially for kids, altered projects, and I especially love to make any type of 3d project with candy.  Yummy!  Oh! and I enjoy leaving bloggie love!

 I'm Sassy.  I live in Minnesota with my husband, Jason, and our four-legged, fur baby Sassy (hence, my nickname).  I began paper crafting ten years ago after the death of my father and making eleven, identical scrapbooks of his life.  Over the years, I have made numerous scrapbooks for others, greeting cards, altered items, and now am beginning to dabble in mixed media.  My style is undefined as I adapt to the situation.  My biggest struggle is clean and simple.  I like to add just one more item.  I enjoy crocheting, watching videos to learn new techniques, and reading a variety of blogs covering crafts, cooking, couponing, organization, home and garden, just to name a few.  My favorite words are believe, priceless and sparkle.  I love tearjerker movies, a variety of music, reality TV, reading self-help/inspiration material, and paper!  In addition, I believe in choosing happiness daily.

Hello, my name is Tami and my blog is Scrappin Rabbit Designs.  I've been crafting for years in some way or another,  I started with crocheting; then on to beading which eventually lead to stamping and card making.  I have a collection of stamps and have used those for years on my cards until my Sister-in-law introduced me to the cricut and the world of blogging.  Now with my cricut expression, gypsy, big shot, and sewing machine I create cards, an occasional layout and 3D projects.  I used to mountain bike and hike but now that I'm away from the mountains I found a different sport, last year I ran my first Warrior Dash and now I'm hooked.  On the softer side, I am a huge Disney fan and must say that my favorite childhood character is Winnie the Pooh.  I'm so delighted to be a newbie of the Cut it Up Design Team.  I'm looking forward to the fun challenges and I can't wait to see your creations. 

We're so excited to get started!  We hope to see you on March 8th for our first challenge together and we hope you have a fabulous crafty day!


Friday, February 22, 2013

Pinterest Inspired--Challenge #13

Hi Cut It Up Fans!
Happy Friday!

Thank you all so much for playing along with us for challenge #12!
We loved seeing all of your animated projects!

The winner picked by random.org for the challenge #12 prize is:


#3 Melissa SunshineHoneyBee

Congrats!
Please email us your mailing address so we can get your prize out to you.
(Winner has to contact us by March 6, 2013 or prize will be forfeited)


The design team once again had the difficult task of picking the choices for the 
"Top Cut"

In no particular order, they are:
#5 Nana
#7 Scrapping Girl
&
#10 Sukie


Congrats ladies!!
Feel free to grab the button below and proudly display on your blogs.

Before we get on to the next challenge, we have a bit of news to share with you all.
Starting with Challenge #14, Cut It Up will be under new management!
Kimberly and Stacey will be stepping down and handing the reins over to Evelyn!
Cut It Up will be in very good hands and will still be bringing you challenges bi-weekly so be sure to stop back by on March 8, 2013
to welcome Evelyn as Cut It Up's new owner!
We look forward to seeing all the fun challenges she has in store for future challenges!

A personal note to the current DT from Kimberly and Stacey:
A huge thank you to our wonderful Design Team! 
You ladies have made Cut It Up look spectacular with you gorgeous creations!
It was a pleasure designing alongside you all and getting to know you. 
Good luck on all your future endeavors and Thank you!!! 



Now onto Challenge #13
"Pinterest Inspired"
Create a paper project that was inspired by something you saw on Pinterest. If you do not have a Pinterest Account, feel free to get inspiration from a fellow crafter. You must also use a die-cut on your project!
Very Important, give credit to the original source in your blog post!!

Challenge runs from Feb. 22, 2013 to March 6, 2013 (noon EST)

Here is some design team inspiration for you.
(click on each designers name to be taken to their blogs)

Kimberly



Prize
One lucky participant will win the following:
Random.org will choose the prize winner from ALL ELIGIBLE entries.
The Design Team will be picking their favorites for the "Top Cut" and those winners will receive a button to proudly display on their blog.
Challenge is open to any resident of the US and Canada.

Some friendly reminders about our challenges:
Project must follow the theme of the challenge AND include a die-cut
Only one entry per person.

You can read more about our rules on this post.

Thanks for stopping by!
We look forward to seeing what you create :)




Friday, February 8, 2013

Animation Domination--Challenge #12

Hi Cut It Up Fans!

For the Design Team Call, click HERE
Design Team Call is now closed.  Check back next Thursday to meet the new team!

Happy Friday!
Thank you all for playing along with us for Challenge #11...Love is in the Air.
We always look forward to visiting each of your blogs and taking a look at all the wonderful creations that you submit.

The winner picked by Random.org for the Challenge #11 prize is:

37. Sarah M.

Congrats!!
Please email us with your mailing address so we can get your prize out to you.
  (Please be sure to contact us by Wed. Feb. 20, 2013 or prize will be forfeited)

The design team once again had the very difficult task of picking three projects for the
"Top Cut"
The top cuts in no particular order are:
#4. Saundra
#12. Tara
&
#44. Scrapping Girl

Congrats ladies!!
Please feel free to grab the button below and proudly display it on your blogs.




Now onto Challenge #12
"Animation Domination"

Create a project that showcases an animated character. (ie. Hello Kitty, Batman, Winnie The Pooh, Spongebob, etc.) and you must also use a die cut!

Challenge runs from  Feb. 8, 2013 and ends Feb. 20, 2013 (noon EST)


Here is some design team inspiration for you.
(click on each designers name to be taken to their blogs)

Jennifer


Janis


Kimberly


Karen


Stacey


Nicole


Anita


Evelyn


Jamie



Prize:
One lucky participant will win the following:

Random.org will choose the prize winner from ALL ELIGIBLE entries.
The Design Team will be picking their favorites for the "Top Cut" and those winners will receive a button to proudly display on their blog.
Challenge is open to any resident of the US and Canada.

Some friendly reminders about our challenges:
Project must follow the theme of the challenge AND include a die-cut
Only one entry per person.

You can read more about our rules on this post.

Thanks for stopping by!
We look forward to seeing what you create :)



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Cut it Up Challenges Design Team Call!!

Welcome to Cut It Up Challenges Design Team Call!

We are looking for a few people who love to craft using die cuts (Manual and Electronic) and of course blog about it!
These include but are not limited to-
Cricut
Silhouette
Big Shot
Cuttlebug
Any other electronic & standard die cutting machines.

All craft levels are welcome to apply!

Submissions will be taken until February 20.

Successful applicants will be notified through
 e-mail by: February 25th
Design Team will be announced: February 28th
First Challenge: March 8th

Sound like something you would love to be a part of?

Please include in your application:
-Name and E-mail Address
-Link to your Blog
-List of Current and Past Design Teams
(Design Team experience NOT required!)
- A photo of two different types of projects that you feel best showcases your style
(These could be a card and a layout or a card and an altered item, etc. As long as they are two different types of projects) These projects can be current or past projects.
-Tell us about yourself and why you would like to be a part of this new Design Team in a short paragraph.
Please put "Design Team Call" in the subject line and send to Evelyn at: cutitupchallenges@gmail.com
This call is open for US and Canada residents only!

The Design Team will be required to:
-Be an active craft blogger for a minimum of 6 months
-Willing to complete a project - Card, Scrapbook layout, 3D Project, etc. twice a month
- Occasionally use stamped or digital images.
-Comment on challenge entries.
-The challenges will be every other Friday starting March 8, 2013.
-Can have more than one post on a Design Team posting day, just with a link on the top of other posts.
-This is a 3 month term from March 8th - May 31st.


What to expect from Cut It Up:


-Although this is not a paying gig we can help spread the word about your crafting/cardmaking/scrapbooking awesomeness!!
- A Design Team button for your blog.
- A link on the Cut It Up Blog to your blog along with your Bio.
-All of the challenges will be given to you at the start of your 3 month term so that you have plenty of time to work on them whenever you have the chance.
-A private Facebook group for Design Team members only.
-Experience, inspiration, and the chance to be on an amazing team.

We can't wait to hear from you and are excited to add new members to our Design Team!
Good luck to everyone!!