Friday, June 11, 2010

Tropical Paradise

Hi Everyone, and Welcome to Day 5 of our "Round the World With Cri-Kits" Scrappy-Go-Lucky Blog Hop. I hope you are all checking in daily to pick up the clues.

I too, live in Brisbane in sunny Queensland, and my absolutely favourite place to be is on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef. You can literally walk out your front door and snorkel to see beautiful fish and colourful coral all around you. It is like being in another world - and I wanted to recreate that amazing experience with a 3D Tropical Fish Tank.


The Gypsy was a must for this design - I used 15 layers. The first was to cut the front panel of the tank at 11 1/4", the 12x24 mat was needed for this. Unfortunately I couldn't find an acetate sheet large enough, so I have used an A3 Document Protector. The second step was to draw the star-fish and bubbles with the Cri-Kits gel pens. I then coloured these in with Glaze pens to give a stained-glass effect (you can still see the smiling faces on the star-fish).


The same steps were applied for the back panel, but I only went over the top part of the sea-grass with the glaze pens. The clear plastic is very hard to photograph, and unfortunately it hasn't shown the gel-pens on this piece.


The first layer of the tank is the "water". I used the Cri-Kits gel pens to draw the outline of the coral in "Glitter Orange", and the sea-grasses in "Metallic Dark Green".


The image was then cut.


The same process was used for the "sand" layer and I used Cri-Kits "Pastel Mauve" for the starfish, "Glitter Gold" for the shells, "Metallic Green" for the seaweed, and "Glitter Dark Silver" for the stones.


A close-up to show you the beautiful colouring of the Cri-Kits.




To save constantly reloading the mat, I lined up the images on the Gypsy, worked out the sizing, and cut everything at once.



The sea-grasses and coral were cut smaller than the Cri-Kits drawings to give more dimension. The sea-grasses were embossed using Cuttlebug "D'vine Swirl", and the coral with "Rellie Rave" - and of course, plenty of glitter was added to emulate sparkling sun through the water.


Thought you might like to see a shot of the creatures as they came to life. Different parts of these were embossed with Swiss Dots, Tiny Bubbles, Textile, Perfectly Paisley, and Candy Cane Stipe. The fish are layered on both sides so they can "swim" freely.


I chose random sections of each creature to highlight with glossy accents, then sprinkled each lightly with diamond glitter.


The back section is coming together ......  Each of the creatures have been attached using different sized foam dots to add a multitude of dimensions. I love the sea-horse with his tail around the coral.


To make this stand up, I cut a piece of acetate and folded it (like a fan) till the desired length was reached as shown below.


I then took the remainder and adhered it to the back.


Acetate was again used to keep the top separated. This piece is sized at 10" x 4 3/4", scored at 1 3/8" on each side. I attached the sides to the top of the tank with large silver brads, and cut around the lip of the tank making the piece invisible.


After working out placement, holes were pierced in the "base" of this top piece. Fishing line was affixed to the middle of the fish as I was glueing the layers, which is now threaded through the top piece allowing the fish to "swim".


A couple of close-ups of the cute little critters... (you may need these photos - you'll see why soon!!!)



I adhered some oyster shells over the base piece to hide the folds. You can also notice the Cri-Kits on the "sand" layer adding some extra colour and dimension.


A photo showing the side view...


And one from the top.


Here I have placed it beside a Cricut Cartridge to give an idea of the true size.


My "Tropical Paradise" in its new home.




Now for the fun part. To win these awesome Cri-Kits Gel Pens (a set of 10 - your choice - plus holder if needed), all you need to do is count how many "sea creatures" have been used in this project. As some of the photos haven't shown the ones drawn with the Cri-Kits very well (my bad photography) - it is only the creatures "cut" with the Cricut. To enter, leave your answer with a comment, and Random.org will choose the winner on Friday June 18.

Don't worry - right or wrong - all comments have a chance to win. (Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if your comment is chosen.) If you're not already a follower, I'd love to have you join, but it is not required to enter.

And don't forget the major prize - Mandy is giving away the four new-release cartridges -

Cindy Lou / Freshly Picked / Mini Monster / Wall Decor & More

Here's how:-
You need to follow this international Blog Hop and collect the clues. Once you have solved the anagram you need to e-mail the answer to Mandy at:


by Friday 18th June when the lucky winner will be drawn at random.....

Here is my clue.....



Don't forget to check in with Enfys tomorrow to check out her amazing design and to collect the next clue.

Good Luck!
Luv, Tereesa.


79 comments:

  1. This is really nice, much easier to take care of than a real fish bowl. I see 8 fish & things & 7 clams so 15.

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  2. Great Job... I counted 18 total. This is a great project. I love the colors...
    Blog:http://lovethatexpressions.blogspot.com/
    E-Mail: davidbayles@sprintmail.com
    Good Luck everyone....

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  3. WOW WOW AND WOW AGAIN THIS IS JUST THE BEST FISH BOWL I HAVE EVER SEEN, YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS DESGIN. I GIVE YOU A 20 OUT OF 10 FOR THIS ONE YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF SO HAVE A REST NOW. I JUST LOVE ALL OF IT, SO BETTER WATCH OUT YOU MAY FIND IT MISSING WHEN I VISIT. ITS A WORK OF ART. LOVE THE EMBOSSING AND THE WAY YOU HAVE ADDED GLITTER.

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  4. Forgot to add there are 16 Sea Creatures

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  5. I have counted and recounted and I think there are 22 creatures if you include the clam shells. Regardless of my count I love the fish bowl. You spent alot of time on this and having the glitter pens really adds to the design.

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  6. I saw 16 creatures - cool project & love the pens!!!

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  7. Now this is one of the most amazing projects yet. I counted two different ways, I counted what I see in the final project and find 16, but when I count what you have on the picture before they are put together I get 22. Either way this is one fabulous project. I will be back often to see what else you have to share.
    Thanks for sharing this with us.
    kristie@lashotphotography.com

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  8. Hi I counted 16 very cute sea critters.
    What an awesome project. Fantastic.

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  9. I counted 22 adorable sea critters (including the clams) but what is really spectacular is the whole project. Very creative and I love the sparkle added throughout the whole project and I am beginning to see the cri-kits pens as a must!

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  10. AMAZING tereesa. OMG i am speechless. I haven't counted as i already have my cri-Kit pens. Can see why you have been so busy.

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  11. Wow, Tereesa!!! :) What a fabulous project! I love it (my son would go crazy if I made one; his whole room is Nemo & sea creatures). The details are amazing (love your choice of Cuttlebug folders & glitter).

    I counted 22 sea creatures (counting the shells) and would LOVE to win the Cri=Kit pens!!!

    Thanks for the chance & for sharing,

    Jennifer
    partridgelu@yahoo.com

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  12. I see 8 creatures. What an AMAZING project!!!

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  13. Wow, Tereesa, you have excelled yourself here. This is out of this world. The whole concept is so creative and the thought you have put into how to get the critters to just float in the bowl. A wonderful project full of dimension, sparkle and colour- just like you!

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  14. What a fabulous piece of work!!! You should be so proud of yourself for creating such a wonderful work of art. I counted 9 creatures, 3 shells, 3 grass and 2 coral!

    alisonfen@westnet.com.au

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  15. First of all, this is incredible!! Wow!! I can't believe all the layers you've included and the details are amazing! This project is fantastic!! Thanks for outlining all the tips and instructions as well. Great, great job!!
    Including the starfish and oysters that you drew on the sandlayer, I count 23 little sea creatures.

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  16. This is absolutely amazing! The instructions are wonderful too - I actually think I could make this by following them - beautiful!

    I counted 17 sea creatures but didn't include the ones that were drawn on.

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  17. All I can say is WOW! I counted 9 creatures, but didn't count the clam shells. This is just such an awesome project!

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  18. Fantastic creation...love it!!! I counted 22 cute little creatures including the clam shells. The gel pens add so much to the design..TFS!

    Terry

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  19. This is amazing. I counted 16 cute little guys. You out did yourself on this project. Great work and love all the detail. dimartincmc@gmail.com

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  20. OMG!!!! The work and effort you put into this project is amazing!!!! Beautiful job!

    and I counted 22 "creatures".

    jackie
    jkraftchick at triad dot rr dot com

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  21. wow! what a labor of love. i see 15 little critters.

    tfs,
    kat

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  22. I counted 21 including the clams cause they are alive too, you know? :D
    Wow...this is an amazing work...I can't even imagine how many hours took from the planning to the showing. Great job! Big Kuddos for you.

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  23. I've never seen anything like this. This should be entered in some kind of contest. So much work and so precise.This is really the cutest thing I've ever seen. I counted 9 critters,7 clam shells and 5seaweed and coral.If all of that is counted, then 21. Without grass and seaweed, 16. I just love this.

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  24. Wonderful project. I counted 13. You should feel very proud of yourself because this is beautiful. jeansaporito@yahoo.com

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  25. Forgot to add contact information.
    stuff@gt.rr.com

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  26. Absolutely amazing! I don't know that I'd have the patience for a project such as this. I counted 15 creatures.

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  27. Incredible! Your fish tank is really amazing! I would never have thought of this in a million years! You have really inspired me to 'think outside the box'! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent!

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  28. I need to think outside the fish tank!! What a terrific project...all your extras - the embossing with the cuttlebug, the glitter, the use of the Cri-Kit pens - add so much...so well done!! Thanks for sharing!

    I counted 22 creatures, including those clams!

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  29. Love your 'Friends' quote!!
    This fish bowl is awesome! I count 14 in the final product.
    My daughter is over there right now. One item on her 'to do' list was scuba the Great Barrier Reef. So for their honeymoon, he book a trip to Cairns and they scuba tomorrow (saturday)! I told her you said Hamilton Island is the best. Perhaps she'll get there, too.
    Love your work!

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  30. This fish bowl is the greatest prettiest I have ever seen! No clean-up and pretty awesome colors! I count 22 if you count the white clams and the 2 black shadows. TFS! Love those gel pens. And I love my cuttlebug. They add so much to the page!

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  31. This is wonderful. How many hours did it take you to create this. I don't think I have that much pstience.

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  32. This is just such a great project! I love the nook that you put it in as it took center stage and rightly so. I think that there are 22 sea folk in your mini barrier reef. I was so taken by the seahorse that I'm pulling out my carts today to see if I can recreate it. Thanks, Pam
    pcrusberg at aol dot com

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  33. what a great project--it is lovely. i know i couldn't ever do this--to delicate--fingers not nimble anymore. put me down for 19 little guys. great job...

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  34. I counted 22 creatures...but oh my gosh!!! Your project is amazing!! It must have taken you hours to do! WOW!

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  35. Oh my goodness this is wonderful, it must have taken you an absolute age to make this let the time to come up with such an idea. Words cannot explain just how gorgeous this is. There are 15 creatures plus 7 clams total 22 if they are to be included.
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing creation.
    Kim xXx

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  36. This is one of the most intricate designs I have seen yet! Adorable! TFS. Rosie
    motcm@verizon.net

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  37. I counted 22 creatures, if I was counting the right things. How long did it take you to make this??? It must have taken a lot of work! It is Awesome! Great job! TFS!
    mdot kdot schmidt athotmail dotcom

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  38. 8 little creatures! This is so cute. Would be nice as a night light. Aust. sounds so beautiful. Definitely my next trip. TFS

    SuePhillipscsr@msn.com

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  39. WOW!!!!! What a massive undertaking. This fish bowl can't be described with just a few words. It is extremely detailed and the pens gave it an added dimension. I am going to say that you have 22 creatures in that bowl. Whatever the number, it is simply fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
    Veronica
    vballen@comcast.net

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  40. WOW! You all continue to awe me with your talent. this is outstanding! I think maybe there are 15 cute little creatures. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win the cri-kit pens they look like a must have after seeing what you all have done with your projects using them.

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  41. I counted 16 total little creatures. This is an adorable project...I love all the details!! Thanks so much for sharing :-)

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  42. I think there are 22 little creatures. OMG that looks like a ton of work, but how fantastic it is when finished----Thanks for sharring-----Nancy

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  43. I forgot to put a way for you to get hold of me----mtbootleggerz@msn.com---Thanks Nancy

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  44. SOOOO cute! I counted 16 sea creatures.
    AprilsL8@windstream.net

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  45. Impressive! Definite WOW!
    I count 9 creatures and 7 shells.

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  46. Wow! That is amazing! You must have great patience. I count 20.

    Jill
    jwinholt@comcast.net

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  47. I see 9 creatures and 6 shells (which might be considered creatures but they look empty!) This is an amazing project. I would LOVE to do something like this. So cool!

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  48. oops! uawnancy846@aol.com forgot that part!!

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  49. Wow what a fantastic project! So creative and so much fabulous detail! I love it! I counted 17 sea creatures but am probably wrong!
    Juliexx

    juile.huxter@ntlworld.com

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  50. This is seriously so amazing that I don't even know what to say!!! WOW!! Love the dimension of it and i love that my daughter could have an entire tank of fish and I never have to clean it out!!!!
    Barb :)

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  51. Wow. That looked like a lot of work but what a result.

    I counted 8 sea creatures and 7 shells. Hope I didn't miss anything.

    Thanks for the opportunity and for sharing,
    Donna
    DonnaCMC@optonline.net

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  52. I counted 10 creatures.
    Jeanette
    jvernon1@kc.rr.com

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  53. Oh, what an amazing project!! I love how you used the acetate to form the 3D fish tank. You must have spent hours (days?) making it!

    I counted 2 starfish, 6 shells, 1 crab, 10 fish, 1 Octopus, 1 seahorse, and 2 jelly fish, does the coral count as an animal? 23 creatures if you don't count the coral, otherwise there are 24 creatures.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Carmen Lucero
    El Paso, TX USA
    cal8007 at aol dot com

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  54. How long did it to take you to make this amazing creation! All the little details are phenomenal! I am speechless! I can't believe what I just saw. Just when I think I've seen everything...

    I counted 23 adorable creatures counting the coral. WOW!

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  56. I counted 9 sea creatures. This is an awsome fish tank I will have to make one for my children as the fish never will die and make them sad

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  57. I counted 21 creatures. This is very impressive. I've been wanting to try acetate and this makes me want to do it even more.

    ksderby at gmail dot com

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  58. This is a fantastic job! I counted 18 creatures.

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  59. AMAZING! This is by far the coolest thing I have see done with the Cricut. I love it! WOW

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  60. So adorable and very clever and creative. One of the cutest projects I have come across. Way to go girl.
    Marcie

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  61. Wow! Wow! Wow! Soooo amazing!! I have never seen anything like this! I counted 18 creatures but I see lots of different answers here so I may be incorrect! Thanks for sharing this awesome project with us!!

    javajen1@hotmail.com

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  62. I count 22 - all the ocean life I could find. However, the important thing is how amazing this is - you really took my mind outside the box with what can be done in crafting!

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  63. Wow! What an incredible project! It's so beautiful. I counted 22 cuts on your cut page, then 16 in the bowl. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  64. Wow how clever you are! I see nine sea creatures cut out.. unless you include the oysters which make 12!
    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  65. This is fabulous & must have taken you a lot of time! I love projects like this.

    I counted 15 fish & creatures. I wasn't sure if there was anything in the shells, so I didn't count those.

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  66. Your tank is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing!!! I counted 22 sea creatures....

    ;-)

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  67. Wow Tereesa that looks GREAT 3d effect looks sooooooo COOOL!!

    WELL DONE

    TORI
    XX

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  68. WOW, this is just absolutely amazing!!! Very beautiful work!!! I believe I counted 21 creatures... but I could be totally wrong!

    Thanks so much for sharing & the chance tow in!!!

    ~Ola
    okj83 at live dot com

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  69. WOW! What a great project. After scrolling thru the other responses, my guess is WAY different than others, but you did say how many creatures were CUT, and since many of them have several layers, here are my numbers:
    12 orange fish, 2 seahorses, 2 crabs, 2 octopuses, 4 jellies, 2 starfish (on the "glass"), and 14 oysters/clams... for a grand total of: 38!

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  70. This is awesome. Love it! I cannot believe all the layering in this. I counted 27 sea creatures that were cut.

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  71. I counted 24 including the clam shells. TFS!!

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  72. I counted and came up with 30 creatures. I may be off by a few. Your creativeness is off the hook....wow this project is so unique.. you did a wonderful job.

    Maureen
    mo_sala@pacbell.net

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  73. 15 not including clams?!
    LOL
    right or wrong I love what you made!!!
    :) Renae

    renaejune99(at)gmail(dot)com

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  74. My count is 15. This is an amazing project. You did a great job. TFS

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  75. What an amazingly incredible!!!!!
    I counted 27 including the sea grasses. Oh and two stars!
    I am still in Awwwwwww

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  76. I counted 33! Can't wait to hear the answer! I love this project! It is adorable and gorgeous all at the same time!
    Hugs!
    Lisa
    muffy74sf@aol.com

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  77. WOW! Totally Amazing Tereesa.Such a good idea. You should be proud,well done. TFS

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