Turkey Cupcake Toppers

turkey cupcake toppers
Originally uploaded by 4jazznjava

The holidays are a perfect time to use the Cricut Expression. I have to admit, although this holiday season was supposed to be financially tight, don't hate me, but it didn't feel like it at all. A big part of that was because the CE helped me decorate the house and party tables with more flare than ever.

With the CE I was able to have more fun while making a more festive enviroment and stretch my dollar. In fact, I had so much fun, I would have made toppers and decorations even if I wasn't trying to save money. These Thanksgiving cupcakes are a good example. The cupcakes would have been delicious anyway, but the toppers made them memorable.

To make them you need
A cricut expression
Cardstock of appropriate colors
or double sided card stock if you don't have a CE
Doodlecharms cartridge
Opposites Attract
Plaintain Schoolbook
High heat glue gun or double sided tape

Cut 12 turkey shaped diecuts from the doodlecharms cartridge at 2.5 inches.
Then cut 12 more using the flip key function at 2.5 inches.

Use a coordinating paper to cut 12 plate and drumstick ends at the same size. The machine will calculate and cut at the right proportions.

Cut 12 more using the flip function.

Using a clear adhesive, attach the plate and drumstick ends.

Next using the shadow function key, cut 24 turkeys on double-sided black paper.

Now, sandwich the layers. Place one turkey on your hand, behind it place the black shadow diecut. And then, place a turkey diecut in the "flip" for the back.

Use a dry, paper adhesive to attach the the pieces.

Use a hot glue gun to attach a toothpick to the black shadow insert before attaching the "flip" turkey.

Using the same cartridge cut 6 leaves and six more "on the flip".
With the cartridge called Opposites Attract cut 12 thanks in 1.75.

Cut 6 dialogue bubbles and 6 more on the flip. Assemble your pieces.

Have fun, have the kids help, or do it alone with a glass of wine. Enjoy the holidays while making something they will remember. Oh don't forget to take pictures of the product and of you and the kids putting them together. It will be a favorite holiday memory.

Halloween Treat Bag

These inexpensive treat bags will make the people you give them to feel like a million bucks. Good for adults and children too. Make a bunch and hand them out to co-workers, friends, or your favorite barista.

What you will Need:

One colorful pack of Halloween 12”x12” paper. Double-sided paper is best.
Black paper 12”x12”
Googly Eyes
Chipboard Letters
Cricut Expression machine
Plantin SchoolBook cartridge
Doodlecharms cartridge
Tacky glue and Double-Sided tape

Notes on What You Will Need:
Avoid glitter and flocking paper in the pack of paper.
Also, feel free to substitute at will.

Directions for Making the Bag:
Keep in mind, you will use on full 12x12 sheet of paper for each bag.
Insert Plantin SchoolBook cartridge and secure the accompanying soft overlay.
Load paper into you Cricut Expression
Choose the Round Bag with the Tall Ball function. To do this, see page 80 in included booklet.
Press Quantity button arrow until quantity is 1.
Then press the auto fill button for the maximum size.
Press cut.
Repeat until you have all the bags you need.
Assemble bags with tacky glue and tape. Make sure they can hold treats.

Directions for Making the Spiders
Remove Plantin SchoolBook Cartridge and Overlay and replace with Doodlecharms.
Load Black paper in the machine.
Set Size at 4” inches.
Press auto fill button.
Press cut.
Repeat steps 2-6 until you have as many as you need.

Directions for Decorating bag:
Use a glue runner to attach spiders to each side of each bag, while making sure that the spider is a little of center and toward the top of the bag..
Next use tacky glue to attach Googly eyes one side of bag.
Then attach the chipboard letter of the appropriate initial slight to the side and lower than the spider .and let dry.
Turn bag over and decorate that side.
Put treats in bag.