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Welcome to The Bug Bytes a site/blog mainly for Papercrafting and some photography and other stuff thrown in here & there. Add in some die cutting machine, scrapbooking tools, cameras, scissors , glue and...... My name is Pam and along with our awesomely talented Design Team welcome you and hope you have a fun enjoyable time here. If you have some time please also do drop in on my other blog - Papillon Digital Designs

March 27, 2012

Distress Inks and Stamping

Hi ya everyone, Melissa here from Melissa Made sharing with you a brief tutorial on using Distress Inks to paint an image.  Thank you Pam for allowing me to share at The Bug Bytes today.  I've made a video tutorial to share with you, but first I will share with you the supplied I used to create this fun card.  All supplies were purchased/supplied at iCopic and from Sheila a Close to My Heart representative.
Supplies:
Distress Inks - Broken China, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade
Staz-On
Paper - Ranger Inkssentials and My Mind's Eye - Stella Rose
Water filled brush
Adhesive
Twine
Stamps - Close to My Heart - A Garden
This paper from Ranger worked amazingly with the Distress Inks.  The paper didn't pucker or change at all!  This is amazing really as even watercolor paper changes a bit.
 This is a very easy technique and can be fun and add a unique twist to your artwork!
For more fun projects please visit me at Melissa Made!

March 26, 2012

Car and dump truck pictures

Good morning!  I'm Kim from Kimberli's Creations, this is my first post as a member of the Design Team at The Bug Bytes and I'm so excited!!  Thanks to Pam for asking me to join this great group of designers on her blog!

Today I have some pictures to share that I made for my oldest son's room!  I found a great quilt for his new room a couple of months ago but couldn't find any pictures to match, so I decided I'd make them!  Its taken me awhile but I finally got a few done and I'm really liking how they're turning out!

I found some black 10x10 frames at Michael's - they were on sale, so they ended up being less then $4 each!  His quilt has a mix of construction vehicles and cars so I went through the Cricut carts that I have, to pick out some that looked similar.  I used a car and dump truck from Boys Will Be Boys and a car as well as the roads from Everyday Paper Dolls.

For the paper, I used mostly Echo Park "Little Boy" collection with some from the "Springtime" collection and then I filled in with cardstock from my stash where needed.

I did step-by-step photos for you, as I created the first picture, so you could see my process...I started with laying out my paper on my mat, once I had it all set up on my Gypsy...

Here it is cut...

This is a trick that I want to share with you, that I learned from my friend Tracy!  Instead of wasting a whole 12x12 sheet of paper, since you will only be seeing the edges, she cuts out the middle to be able to save to use on another project!  It seems so simple (and GENIUS! ;-)- thanks Tracy!) but I honestly never thought about doing that - it kills me to think of all the paper I've wasted over the years by not doing this!  But I'm glad she shared her trick, because now I do it as much as I can!!

So here is my background paper, cut down to 10x10 then I cut the middle out - leaving enough of an edge to adhere my picture onto.

And here the scene part of my picture is adhered to my background paper and you can't even tell that the middle is missing!  :-)

I used Imaginesce colored foam tape to pop up the cars - I like it because its not super thick, so it still gives it dimension but since they were going in the frame, I didn't need too much dimension.

I inked the edges of everything using my Quick Quotes PowderPuff chalking ink- I can't say enough how much I love this ink and how smooth it glides on the edges as you ink!

And here are the completed pics - framed and ready to go!  I can't wait to see my son's reaction to his new pictures!  I'd love to be able to take pictures of them hanging in his room to show you, against his blue walls, but he's asleep - so that will have to be done later!  ;-)



Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you have a great week!!

March 23, 2012

Hi all! I am Nonna from Nonnas Scraps and I am so excited be visiting here today! Thanks "BugBytes" for having me!

I don't know about you, but sometimes, I just need a little extra inspiration. Having the web at my fingertips has become so important to me! Let me introduce you to a great site for inspiration and "mojo," Mojo Monday. Here is a sample of what you will find:
The sketches are wonderful and the photos inspiring! I highly suggest visiting. But, wait! There is more...

An E-quaintance has this great blog: MichelleMyBelle. She has gone one step further by creating a card layout in Make the Cut software based upon these layouts. Not only does she have a great layout, it is ready to go into any project---almost immediately! And, she is so generous! There are numerous layouts just waiting for you and me to use with the correct software!

I needed a welcome card seemingly yesterday and Michelle came to my rescue!

  • The design is found at Mojo Monday 233 March 19, 2012, (http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/), designed by Teresa Kline and converted by  MichelleMyBelle (http://michellemybellescreations.blogspot.com/). 
  • Software for your cutting machine ( I use MTC and my Zing)
  • Lettering Delights SVG files: Bee Yourself
  • Digital papers: Lettering Delights Dandelion
  • Card base: 8.5 x 5.5"
  • Home Printer
  • Assorted Glues
  • Assorted embellishments
Open Michelle's file in the MTC software.
Setting everything up in the software make assembly sooooo easy!

Upload the cutting files of choice and size appropriately. 


In MTC, "texturize" the different shapes to add digital paper...
Wow! Makes it my own quickly---but so easily. Now to add a sentiment
with one of the fonts installed on my computer (Script MT Bold)...
Check the whole thing in print preview. (I like the way the black color on the font
balances the bee!)

Next, arrange the cuts on the Print and Cut mat in the software...

The images on the left will be printed on one 8.5 x 11" piece of paper. 
Using the layer feature of MTC cut the shapes (the lines on the hive and the lettering 
are printed only, not cut). The images to the right (circled) will be printed and cut on their own 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper using the  "page" function of the software.

After each sheet is printed return to the software. It is time to cut the different shapes. First, "hide" the layers that are not to be cut (remember, these have been printed!)


The on-screen page changes from this


to this:
Now only the outlines of the shapes will be cut. (The black beehive is the hive's base layer from the SVG file from LD.)

Send the files to the cutter and quickly have fun assembling them! Seriously, it too more time choosing the bee and the hive than it did assembling the card. Genious!
I hope that you have enjoyed your visit today....







March 22, 2012

Pink Zebra Birthday Party

Hey Everyone,
LisaB here from Rather B Scrappin,

So early this month I turned to big 3-0!!!
I had a party at my house and I made a few decorations for it. This banner was on the outside of the house. It says Happy Birthday! 







I got this frame for the dollar tree and took the glass out of it. I painted it pink!
This sign was outside, near the front door!

I also made this banner for the inside.
It says "Lisa is 30"

 We had a candy bar!
I got these three blocks are Michael's and painted them.
Then added the words Fabulous, Flirty and 30!
I hope I was able to inspire you today! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the Bugbytes
Until next time!

March 21, 2012

I love candy!

Good morning! This is Beatriz from Amazing Grace. My project today is  this layout. The candy store is  from My Community Cricut Cartridge (size 10"). I was inspired by these beautiful papers from Best Creations.


Hope you have enjoyed this project today. Thank you for stopping by and thank you Pam for having me once again! Have a great and blessed day!

March 18, 2012

Momma's Main Man - A Diaper Bicycle


It's Sabrina from Sabriolet Designs here with your Sunday morning edition of The Bugbytes.  My sister is hosting a baby shower in a few weeks and I thought I would come up with a few unusual items for her to use.  I have been wanting to make one of these baby diaper bicycles for some time now.  I couldn't believe how absolutely easy it is, and well, there wasn't a whole lot else for me to do other than add the baby supplies.  I did add a few ribbons on the handlebars, but that's it.  First time NOT using my Cameo in a long time - go figure!  I think it turned out very cute and I am hope the Mom to be loves it.






Supplies Needed:
Size 1 Diapers - there are approximately 60 of them here
2 bibs, 2 receiving blakets
1 stuffed animal
1 bottle or sippy cup.

Thanks as always to Pam who has graciously allowed me a the opportunity to post my projects on your blog.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

March 16, 2012

"BETTY BOOP" DECOUPAGED SOAP GIFT

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Audrey, here today with a quick and easy project.  As always, thanks to Pam for having me here each month!

Well, did you know you can decoupage a bar of soap without any special papers, adhesives, or other materials?  If you didn't know that, just take a look at my soap gift:


Here are pictures of the box closed and also a close up of the top of the box:



 
Isn't it just sweet and cute?!!!

Here's what you'll need to get started on yours:

1 - bar soap (standard size)
1 - 4.50 x 10.50" sheet of cardstock (for soap box)
Image of your choice for bar of soap and for the box (I found mine on the internet)
Embellishments for your box
Plain white tissue paper (the kind used for gifts): large enough to print image onto for the bar soap
Decoupage Glue (if you do not have this, use small amount of white glue thinned with water)
Small "soft" paint brush
Shrink Wrap or Saran Wrap
Heat gun

Okay, let's go!   First, determine how large you want the image to be on your bar of soap and size it accordingly (I played with the size, printing it on scrap paper until I was satisfied).  Once the image is to your liking, tape the piece of tissue onto a sheet of cardstock; print out the image and allow ink to dry completely; once dry, cut it out as close to the image as possible:




Using the paint brush, apply a very thin layer of glue to the back of the image being careful so as not to tear the tissue; carefully apply the image to the bar of soap using your index finger to smooth out any air bubbles; allow to dry about 20 minutes.  Once the tissue is dry on the soap bar, apply another  very thin coat of glue to the top of the image and use the flat palm of your hand to press out any air bubbles -- you do not want to rub because the wet glue will cause the ink to smear!!!


Allow coated side to dry completely and your bar of soap will look like this:


Time for do the box!  With the 4.50" side of paper across the top of the scoreboard, score at 1" and 3.50:


Turn paper so the 10.50" side is across the top of the scoreboard and score at 1", 4.75", 5.75", and 9.50":


On each side of the box, cut the  4.75" and 5.75" scorelines up to the 1" and 3.50 scorelines only -- this will create your center tabs which separate the top from the bottom of the box.  Next, cut out and remove a triangular section from each corner of the four (4) corner tabs: your box should look like this:


Bone fold all scorelines, fold and glue all tabs to the inside to form your box to look like this:


Print another image onto a sheet of cardstock and size it to fit the top of your box, and your box is ready to embellish any way you'd like.  I used stickles for the bath bubbles and 3D crystal lacquer to highlight Betty Boop and the hardware on the tub, and I completed the box with lace, beads, ribbon, and more stickles!

Before you put your soap in the box, wrap the bar with shrink or saran paper and give it a quick hit with your heat gun on all sides, top and bottom, to shrink and tighten the wrap to the soap; this will give it a nice, clean professional look!  Now you might even want to make add a small card or tag to go along with for a complete gift set!

You can alter your soap gift for a man, woman, or child and/or for any occasion -- it just depends on the image and embellishments you use.  I hope you like this and I hope you'll enjoy doing it!  I sure would love to see what you do with this, should you decide to give it a go!!!

If you have any questions, click on my name at the top of this post for a direct link to my blog where you can publish your comment.  I'm always more than happy to help!

Thank you so much for stopping by, I appreciate you taking the time, and I'll see you next month!

March 15, 2012

Ladybug Notepad

Hi, Michelle here from Lady of Leisure Ink - thank you Pam for having me over to play on your blog.

Last week my youngest, Phoebe was home from college on spring break.  She told me that her room-mate loved the handmade cards and things that I send Phoebe.  Well, it's always nice to be appreciated, so I decided to make this little notepad so her roommate could have it on her desk.


This is a cut file available from here from The Digi Chick.  It can be made into a card or mini album, and although probably more suited to a 'little gir'l, my daughter assures me that the' big girl' who is going to receive this will love it.

The file comes in 3 parts: the body (black), 2 wings (red) and the 6 spots (black glitter).  I used my Cameo to cut and re-size all the pieces, and then made large circles with white paper that were just slightly smaller than the body.  I punched a hole through everything and fixed it together with a brad.  Of course I had to add some googly eyes too!


Each of the notepad pages is stamped with a ladybug image - this stamp is from Stampin' Up and is called 'Very Punny'.


Hope you enjoyed my project today.

Michelle

March 14, 2012

Flower Pot

Good Morning Everyone!  It's Chris from Get Inspired With ChatterScene.  First I wanted to say thanks to Pam for asking me to be on the team. I am honored. TY so much!

Today I have to share with you a cute flower arrangement I made to display on my front porch.


 I had saved some oatmeal containers because I had seen a project in a magazine for Valentine's day using them. Well I never got around to using them in February so I brainstormed another way to use them. I had been wanting to put a cute decoration on our front covered porch so I decided to use it to make it.

I covered it in paper. And filled half way with Kitty Litter.

Created my cut outs in the Cricut Craft Room.
 

The flowers were cut from the Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials.
The Butterfly is from the digital Cricut Basics in the craft room.
Flowers cut at 3. Butterfly at 2.25.

Here is my paper button buttons I chose to use

I painted some white dowels with brown ink.


Assembled all of my pieces

I arranged each flower into the kitty litter ( holds the sticks up great ) and then filled it the rest of the way  with shredded paper. Tied ribbon and hemp around top and added butterfly.


Thank you so much for looking:) Hugs!