October SOTM Blog Hop - Twinkle

Welcome to the Twinkle Blog Hop! Thanks for coming from Michelle Battitori's blog.

This set of 15 stamps is a must have for your holiday collection. And, that star circle border, hand drawn doodle and frame will be useful for lots of cards and layouts. Our blog hop is a big circle of 47 consultants. Enjoy the artwork as you hop around!

Supplies used:

• White Pines Paper Packet, X7200B
• Gold Glitter Paper, Z3076
• Glacier Fundamentals Assortment, Z3102
• Glacier Ink, Z2641
• Cranberry Ink, Z2116
• Champagne Ink, Z2174
• CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Z3170

Now head over to Maureen OSullivan's blog to see her creativity with Twinkle!

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - It's the Little Things

Welcome to the Close To My Heart November Stamp of the Month, It's the Little Things, Blog  Hop. I appreciate you hopping over from Lela's Blog. For a complete list of hoppers, go here.


I made a little gift bag using my awesome Cricut Artiste cartridge. Then, I put my stamping and scissors to work with the little flowers. I layered the Thin 3-D Foam Tape to create different layers of dimension to the flowers, added some washi tape and sparkles and voila! Simple and cute homemade gift bag.

Side view to show dimension

Supplies Used (all CTMH)

• CTMH Artiste cartridge, Z1790 (Select 3D Object, <Noel>,
  Fit to Page) page 79 of the Artiste book
• Lagoon Hearts Washi Tape, Z2004
• Chalk It Up Paper Packet, X7184B
• Lagoon Ink, Z2195
• Flaxen Ink, Z2642
• Sorbet Ink, Z2164
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z2060
• Mini Clothes Pin, Z1815
• Sparkles Clear Flourishes - Small, Z1812
• Bitty Sparkles, Z1263

This It's the Little Things Stamp Set is going to get so much use with it's whimsical flowers and sentiments.  Remember, you can only get this set in November and it's just $5 with your $50 purchase on my CTMH website.

Be sure to visit all of the blogs on this hop for some creative inspiration. Next up is Nancy's Blog.

What A Hoot - August 2014 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

You are in for a treat! What A Hoot, the August 2014 Stamp of the Month is the cutest "build your own" stamp set I've seen in forever. And, it's a great way to kick off the new Annual Inspirations Catalog from Close To My Heart!

Thank you for hopping over from Katy's Blog.

Here is a swing card I created using the "S" key from the Artiste cartridge, the Scaredy Cat Paper Pack and the What a Hoot stamp set.

The Scaredy Cat paper is so versatile; you'll love using it on all of your Fall themed layouts and cards. I added an adhesive spring to pop the owl off of the card. Our new ShinHan marker in Peony Purple perfectly colored in my owl. You're going to love these markers!

Hop over to Traci's Blog to see what has created to share with you. If you got lost along the way, go here to see the complete list of 65+ blogs!

To get your What a Hoot set, simply place an order of $50 or more on my Shop Online Site and it's yours for only $5!

Frosted Thank You Card

If you saw my last post, you know I'm teaching my boys to write thank you notes. The best way to teach, model!

Here's the simple thank you note I created to send for my Christmas gifts.

Instructions for the card, using CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge:

• Pennant using B&T from Bulk Frosted (BULK306): 1" Shift + Accent 4 <%>
• Snowflake in Twilight CS: 1 1/4" Accent 1 <NOEL>, stamped with snowflake from Frosted WOTG stamp set in Colonial White Ink, Z2168
• Thank You stamp from Banner Wishes, B1438, in Twilight Ink, Z2160
• Shimmer Trim, Z1799 cut into a scallop shape with the Scallop Border Punch, Z1851
• Corner Rounder on Bulk Frosted, Z1912
•  All on a Colonial White card, X1410

Sparkle & Shine Kids Thank You Note

My grandmother taught me to write thank you notes. She had oodles of nieces and nephews and would send them each $10 for their birthdays. She recognized that it wasn't a huge amount, but it did show them that they were thought of by her on their special day. Well, she really thought of you on your special day if you didn't write a thank you note...in that she wouldn't send you a check the next year. I remember her wondering if they received the gift or not or impressing upon me the importance of a simple thank you.

I'm teaching my sons that important lesson from my Grammy Kogle. I admit that sometimes it takes us a few weeks to get out our thank yous, but we always send them.  Here is the card I made for my boys to send:

Since they're only nine and seven, they still need lines to write their notes. This flip open card is perfect because I was able to adhere two index cards to the inside, one from each boy. I'm so sad I forgot to get a photo with their actual notes (Dear Ant Melissa...precious!).

Thanks to my wonderful CTMH Director, Fancy Melissa, for the inspiration for this card. She gave me this sweet tag on a Christmas gift:

To make this card, I used my CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge and my favorite CTMH supplies:

• The card base is Sparkle & Shine bulk, Auto Fill for the size, Card <b>
• The White shape is 2 3/4" Card <Halloween>
• The stamp is from Wintry Wishes, C1560
• I stamped the penguin in Archival Black Ink Pad, Z888
• To color in the stamp, I used CTMH's Exclusive Inks Markers in Slate (Light) Z2431, Ruby Z2429 and Juniper (Light) Z2403

For Always Scrapbooking Workshop

Do you have a copy of Close To My Heart's Spring/Summer Idea Book yet?  You can start ordering from it on Friday and it's so chock full of eye candy that you'll probably get a sugar high from just looking at it.  Seriously!

The first scrapbooking workshop I'm doing is For Always.  Check out the three layouts below that we'll be completing on February 19th from 9 to noon or 7 to 10 PM.

The cost is just $28 and includes a For Always paper pack, For Always My Stickease, For Always Assortment (those little resin flowers), extra cardstock, Silver Shimmer Trim and Black Adhesive Gems to complete the layouts.

RSVP by February 4th so I can order your products in time for the workshop.  You're going to love how quickly these layouts come together!

Be Mine Vinyl Plate

Company's coming in the morning, it's midnight and you need something for that corner in your kitchen.  What's a girl to do?  Whip out her CTMH Artiste cartridge and her Cricut machine of course!

I needed a little Valentine's decor so found an inexpensive red charger at my local craft store (with some fab bling surrounding the edge).  I used the "Be Mine" button on my Cricut Artiste cartridge to cut out the sentiment and hearts (3 inches for Be Mine and 1.5 for the hearts).  Seriously, this project took me five minutes to complete and I'm happy with the cheer it adds to my kitchen.

What's your favorite quick decorating tip?

Dakota, It's Not Just Country

I have two boys but am not even a little bit country, despite living in Virginia.  So, while I was thrilled with the  colors and some patterns in Dakota, I was a little unsure how to make it work for my typical photos.

Sorry there are no photos on these layouts, but I'm excited for this week's workshop featuring Dakota.  Thanks to my good friend, Scrapi Traci, for the layout designs.  Again, I created grid cutting guides to complete all the paper trimming before layout assembly.

What would I do without my Artiste Cricut Cartridge from Close To My Heart?  The flower images, shapes and letters are so quick and easy to cut out.  They give my layouts such a finished look for just the price of a bit of paper.  Do you have yours yet?  What are your favorite images to cut out?

December SOTM Blog Hop - Year Round Cheer

I'm so happy to share this month's Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month.  Thanks for coming from Sheila's blog. 

Year Round Cheer is such a versatile little set!  I decided to go for Clean and Simple cards nestled in a Cricut Artiste bag to give as a New Years' hostess gift!

Paper bag made with La Belle Vie paper and Black Tulle ribbon.

January, February and March cards.

April, May and June cards.

 

July, August (my favorite!) and September cards.

 

October, November and December cards.

Now, go check out what Angel created with this fantastic stamp set! 

Don't forget to visit the While Supplies Last section of my website when you order this stamp set.  CTMH has added new items and has further discounted ones already there!

Thanks Banner

The Halloween decorations are down and the Thanksgiving decorations are up.  Yesterday was my last after school class for the session and the kids and I made these Thanksgiving banners.

The worst/best part of the class was that I only cut two-of the four-papers I needed for the kids to make the fans under the turkeys.  One of the girls (thanks Ali!) suggested using one fan-so, a semi circle-on each turkey to create "feathers".  I love how creative this group was!

Along with decorations and cooler temperatures came a nasty cold.  Sorry for the short post, but I did want to share this sweet and simple little banner.

Six Weeks of Halloween, Week 5: Jane-o-lantern Plate

Thanks to Fancy Melissa for the inspiration for this decorative plate using Chalkboard Vinyl and the CTMH Cricut Artrist Cartridge!

I've been wanting an excuse to use my CTMH Chalkboard Vinyl ever since I bought it in August.  I tend to hoard products and just hadn't figured out the best way to use it.  After I found this bright orange charger at my local craft store and saw Melissa's awesome post a few weeks ago, I knew I'd found my excuse!

Why do pumpkins usually look masculine?  Living with three males (husband and two sons, just to clarify!), I wanted some girl power in the house.  While the pumpkin's face is gender neutral (I cut out the Chalkboard Vinyl with Artiste, Accent 2 Boo at 6 3/4 inches), adding a Black Tulle Ribbon bow and a paper flower (left over from the witch's hat I'd made last week) added a feminine touch.

Who says Halloween has to be scary?  I think this pumpkin is rather sweet!

It would be sweet if you'd head over to my facebook page and like it.  And, you can even when a fangtastic prize!

Seasons' Bounty Favors

Fall is such a beautiful, colorful time of year.  Here in Northern Virginia, the leaves are turning beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red and brown.  I made these fall favors for the teachers who will visit my "Career Day" presentation this Thursday at my sons' school.  I wanted to share the beauty of Fall with these caring professionals!

 

The sentiment reads, "May the bounty of the season fill your heart and your home" from Quick Cards-Bountiful Season Stamp Set (A1130). 

 

To create the favor "box," I inserted my Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) into my Cricut and used the Card feature, Thanksgiving button and cut it at 3 1/2 inches.  I was able to get three to each piece of Goldrush Cardstock (1243). I used Desert Sand Ink (Z2118), then used Sponge Daubers (Z726) to add Ruby (Z2170) and Olive (Z2137) Inks to the leaf and swirls.  When they open the favor, this is what they find inside:

 

 

Who doesn't love Tic Tacs?  I combined "Cherry Passion" and "Apple" Tic Tac packs to create this fun fall mix.  But, what about the kids?  Thanks to my pal and Let's Get Fancy teammate, Chrissy Curtis, for the moustache on a stick suggestion!

 

 

I made 180 of these little moustaches using my Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Accent 2, Shift at 1 inch.  Using Auto Fill, 30 moustaches were cut on each piece of Black Cardstock.  Both favors are cute and inexpensive crafts.

 

Wish me luck on Thursday!  I'll try to post a photo of the event on my blog on Friday.  And, enjoy the beauty and bounty of Fall! 

 

La Belle Vie Birthday Card

The beautiful life.  Isn't that a great name for a paper pack, a great way to approach each day, even?

Tomorrow night a dear friend is hosting a gathering for me and I wanted to have a pretty card for the make-and-take.  She and her husband are going to Paris in a few weeks so I just knew La Belle Vie bulk paper was the way to go.  And, who can't use another birthday card to send to a friend?

 

 

 

I used the new Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and the Colonial White Rosette Ribbon on this card.  I simply trimmed the rosettes from the ribbon to add as individual flowers.  Since many of the guests are not crafters (yet!), I wanted something simple and three dimensional to add to the card.  As easy as I think the Cricut Art Philosphy flowers are to roll, I didn't want to overwhelm someone new to crafting.  Voila!  These rosettes were the perfect solution.  The sentiment is from the Cricut Artiste Collection.  Did you know you get three D-size stamp sets and 3 Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes with your Cricut Artiste Cartridge?  I almost forgot to share the inside of the card, a little cupcake cut out from Artiste (Birthday Girl Button) and stamped with the same set as the front sentiment.  Just a little surprise inside!

 

 

 

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Avonlea Purse and Mini Cards

My Open House and Craft Sale is tomorrow night!  I'm so excited!  In addition to enjoying conversation, snacks, drinks and artwork, guests will be making these gorgeous (yet simple!) projects.  Thanks to my friend, Melissa Laverty, for the inspiration!

I'll post instructions and supplies used after the Open House.  If you can't wait, then come tomorrow night from 5-10 p.m. to mi casa in Leesburg, VA.  Give me a shout at michellejonesva@yahoo.com if you need an address!

I'm an Artiste!

I was planning to do a blog post on CTMH's new colors (and retiring ones) today.  But, then I got the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge in the mail and I just couldn't resist using it!

So, here's a card I made (in about 5 minutes), using the Artiste Cartridge, one of the accompanying stamp sets and an accompanying Dimensional Element.

Every inch of this card is new!  The paper pack is Clementine...isn't it just sweet?  I used one of the new cardstock colors, Saddle as the card base and the Saddle ink to distress the edges.  That quaint flower with button in the top, left corner is from the Cottage Assortment.  I cut out the banner from page 35 of the Artiste Cartridge.  It was hard to choose just one of the 700 images on this cartridge, but I wanted to show you all you get from this cartridge.  OH, want to know how I knew what page to find the banner on?  Well, I just looked at the stamp set and the overlay has the page listed, along with the cartridge (Artiste) on the top left!  See:

So smart of CTMH to tell us which cartridge to use and the coordinating page number!  This is just one of the THREE coordinating stamp sets included with the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  The cartridge also comes with three sets of Dimensional Elements that perfectly coordinate.

You can pre-order the Artiste Cricut Cartridge now, or order August 1st from my website.  Check back next week for more Artiste inspiration!

Card supplies used:

• Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Z1790
• Clementine Paper Pack, X7156B
• Cottage Assortment, Z1794
• Saddle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Z2171



Idea Book Preview Week

Happy Monday!

I am so excited to spend this week showcasing some of the awesome new product in Close To My Heart's Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  Stop by each day to catch a sneak peek and get your inner crafter inspired and excited. 

You can begin ordering these new products on August 1st from my website.  If you have any questions, you can also email me.

Okay, on to today's featured product:

Cards.

I know what you're thinking..."The big sneak peak is a bunch of CARDS?"  Hang with me for just a sec here.  Below you'll see a little bit of everything CTMH has to offer that's new: paper, embellishments, stamps and Cricut Artiste shapes (yes, there's a NEW Cricut cartridge!)

The cards were designed by CTMH's Art Department and were given to us in pieces to put together at Convention in Dallas, TX two weeks ago.  My favorite thing about them is that they mixed and matched paper from different paper packs...genius!  (I'll list the papers and embellishments used at the end).

This card is my favorite:

Don't you love how there's a "card wrapper" that fits around the card!?  I love the sentiment "let's hang out" and adore those little black sparkles at the waist of the dress.  I can just see sending this card to a group of girlfriends, inviting them for a girls' night out!

The adorable sentiments are part of the new stamp set, Pun Fun (C1505)!

Want to know how you can make these cards for FREE?  Place an order for the new Cricut Artiste cartridge before August 31st and I'll invite you to a crafty evening at my place where everything will be cut out for you.  If you're not local, I'll send you the materials already cut and stamped!

Materials Used:
C1521 My Acrylix Approved
C1505 My Acrylix Pun Fun
X7160B Flirty Paper Pack
X7157B Dakota Paper Pack
X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Pack
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
X1410 Colonial White Cards
Z1787 Mini-Medley Accents Slate Collection
Z1754 Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment
Z1751 Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment
Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim
Z2427 Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks Marker Set
Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks Pad
Z2106 Blush Exclusive Inks Pad