Starburst Technique....Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  I wish!  That would mean it's October and we would be having slightly cooler weather!   Can't wait. 

Using the NEW Nevermore Paper Pack and the NEW Little Monsters Stamp Set and a retired Paper Pack called Scaredy Cat, I created a different version of the starburst or sunburst technique.  I cut 2x4 strips, then cut at a diagonal which gave me 8 triangles to place on a 3½" x 5" Sunset mat. Then I mounted that onto  a 3¾" x 5¼" Sunset mat.  Black Cardstock was used as the card base.  1¾" circle punch was used for the stamped Mummy on Slate Paper and a Black sunburst was done on my cricut using the CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge.  A little bling from misc supplies and a way we go!

Hope this inspires you because before you know it October will be here!

Don't forget to check out the retiring items before August 31!  The New Annual Inspirations book comes out September 1 so stay tuned for new beautiful items!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Christmas in August!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....NOT!   I wish it was...still hot and muggy here!  I decided to experiment a little with embossing and fussy cutting!  So here goes!

I used a stamp set from Stampin' Up called Joyful Christmas.  Not sure if this is even available anymore.  I think this may be the first time I used it.  I stamped 2 poinsettias out and heat embossed it with ZING! Rouge opaque embossing powder on red cardstock from my stash.  I cut the middle out of one and popped it up, added a gem from my stash for some bling.  The leaf stamp from the set was also heat embossed with ZING! Green metallic embossing powder on Sweet Leaf cardstock.  I used my Divine Swirl embossing folder on the White Daisy mat, about 3/4 of the way down which left room for the sentiment stamped in Sweet Leaf ink.  Added a little bling and we are finished!  For the inside I added a White Daisy mat and stamped the saying that went with this set and added bling in two corners (sorry I didn't take a picture).  

Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Congratulations Card

Used the Blossom Paper Pack, which is retiring this month, to make a Congratulations card.  It goes great with the Shower Flowers Stamp Set C1612.  I embossed the Colonial White mat and layered the Blossom paper on one side and added Teal Shimmer Trim to separate the 2 sections.  Stamped the leaves onto the mat and stamped a flower from the set and cut it out and applied pop dots.  The sentiment banner is not popped up and lays under the flower.  The mat that goes on the White Daisy card base is the opposite side of the Blossom paper.  Simple but pretty card!

Hope you like it! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Don't forget to stop by my shopping site for the retiring items, get them before they are gone!

Happy Crafting!

Burnishing Technique

I came across a card technique on YouTube the other day and I really liked how it looked.  It's called Burnished Panel technique.  So I thought I would give it a try and revised my watercolor card ( I was never really happy with it).  I reused the butterflies and took the watercolor mat off and keep the rest of the card.  I used the Botanical Backgrounds D1645 Stamp set and the Stamp set from the Blossom Workshop On The Go Cardmaking  kit.  Since I saved the butterflies, I used that as my color palette for the ink I used to burnish on the mat.  Used Round Sponges cut in quarters to apply  Pear and Glacier ink and a new one coming next month instead of  Honey since it is not as bold.   I really like how this looks now!  Let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out my website!

Happy Crafting!

Craft Humor!

My sentiments exactly!

Happy Anniversary Card using Zoe Paper Pack and Cricut

Found a cute card from another CTMH Consultant and I made a few changes.  I am always looking for ideas for Anniversaries and I thought this was a great idea for that special occasion.  Using the Zoe Paper Collection and the NEW CTMH Cricut Collection- Artistry, I redesigned the idea from a Sympathy card to Anniversary.  Used Coral Reef Sequins (another retiring item) and the hearts from the dog cutout to accent the card.  For the sentiment I used the stamp set called Finding the Words and stamped it with Slate ink.  I distressed the edges with slate ink on the dog and made a mistake so I had to cut the dog out again...good for me since I ended up with 2 hearts so I used them on the sentiment banner.  I distressed the edges of the heart and banner with Glacier Ink.  I love this card!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Sympathy Card ***REDO***

Unfortunately, I just found out I am in need of a sympathy card!  I did not have any in my stock of finished cards.  I did have some thinking of you cards and I found one I could redo.  SO if you find yourself in need of a card in short notice and no time to make one, just look at what you have in stock and do a little redo!

Stamped the sentiment onto a banner and attached it to the front over the saying that was already there.  The inside was blank so I was able to put my sentiment inside and add a butterfly stamp I had that came close to matching the outside butterflies with Smoothie ink.  Inked the edges of the banner with Lagoon ink, which came very close to the mat.  Black Memento ink was used for the sentiment outside and inside.  Did not take long at all to do!





Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee.
                                                   - Psalms 55:22

Happy Fall!

Sure can't wait for fall!  I am really tired of this heat and humidity.  To help it along, I thought I would make a fall card using the NEW CTMH Cricut Cartridge Artistry.  The idea for the card may have come from Pinterest.  I know I have seen some version of it there.  Pinterest has a wealth of ideas.  So when you have a creative block or just need an idea to jump start with, check Pinterest out.  

Now for my card the base is Kraft cardstock and the mat is out of  CTMH Bamboo paper which I ran through my Big Shot using the Cuttlebug Distressed Strips embossing folder.  Using the soon to be retired cardstock Autumn Terracotta, Jackson Paper Pack, along with Honey and Chocolate (not retiring), I cut the leaves and acorn out from the Artistry Cartridge and Art Philosophy Cartridge.  The sentiment came from the stamp set that is included with the Workshops on the Go® Pathfinding Cardmaking Kit (also retiring).  Finished it off with the bronze shimmer trim that also comes in the kit.  The top of the acorn was also run through the Big Shot using the Cuttlebug Mesh embossing folder. The mesh ribbon I got at Joann's last week when they had their ribbons on sale.  Taped it down in the back and used some Liquid Glass on the front to hold it down some.  Let me know what you think! 

Go to my shopping site before the retiring items disappear.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Dog Lovers Card

Here's a card I made using the **NEW** CTMH Cricut Cartridge called Artistry for all you dog lovers out there!  This can be used for just about any occasion for all those family and friends we know who love dogs.  I also used the **NEW** Zoe Paper Collection for the card mat and frame for the sentiment.  I used the Stuck On You Puffies (while supplies last list) for the hearts.  I am finding so many uses for this set now that they are discontinuing it!   Welcome to my world!    I kept making changes to the card since a few of my ideas were not working.  I tried embossing the White Daisy mat with the dots embossing folder but it just didn't seem right.  So I decided to make my own background paper with paws and bones.  I used glitter glue for one of the bones to highlight it since I had added the red puffie hearts to the dogs.  I didn't have silver glitter glue so I tried to match Sorbet ink as close as I could.  I used Ruby ink for the sentiment (trying to match the hearts) and Desert Sand and Sorbet for the paws and bones.  I cut the dogs out of Desert Sand and Cashmere cardstock.  I popped up the sentiment frame and dogs.  I tried the stamping off technique to have a lighter image in the background.  I hope you like the card.  If you have any suggestions,let me know.

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to check out by website for the *NEW* CTMH Cricut Artistry Cartridge or any other crafting goodies.

Happy Crafting!

Close To My Heart New Consultant Kit

The New Consultant Kit is awesome!  Close to my Heart gives you all you need to get your business up and running and more.  It now comes with a medium size organizer to hold the accessories.  All for just $129.   What a great way to welcome your friends and family to your world of creativity! 

Here's what is included:
(Over $445 retail value)

• Zoe B&T Duos™ Bulk Pack (BULK369, qty 1)
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385, qty 1)
• Whisper Cardstock (X5929, qty 1)
• Glacier Cardstock (X5770, qty 1)
• Sorbet Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2164, qty 2)
• Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2641, qty 2)
• Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2173, qty 2)
• Aqua Shimmer Trim (Z3086, qty 2)
• Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® So Many Smiles (C1619, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® In Review (C1622, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® My Story (B1482, qty 2)
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254, qty 1)
• Medium Organizer (Z4139, qty 1)
• 2" × 6½" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1010, qty 2)
• 3" × 3" My Acrylix^® Block (Y1006, qty 2)
• Non-stick Micro-tip Scissors (Z1836, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782, qty 2)
• My Acrylix^® Spritz Cleaner (1778, qty 1)
• Bonding Memories™ Glue (1512, qty 2)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151, qty 1)
• Round Sponge (Z697, qty 1)
• Customer Order Forms (W101, qty 1, 25 per pack)
• Annual Inspirations (WC1161, qty 10)
• Holiday Expressions (WCS1161, qty 10)
• Cardstock Color Sampler (W1136, qty 1)
• Paper Fundamentals Sampler (W1137, qty 1)
• Annual Inspirations B&T Duos™ Sampler (W1138, qty 1)
• My Acrylix^® Petite Perks™ Tribal Circles (W2032, qty 3)
• Idea Book Postcard (W1129, qty 1)
• Desk Pad (W1140, qty 1)

Former Consultant?  No problem!  When you re-sign up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant during August using the same email address from your previous Consultant account, you have the opportunity to pick from either a “business building essentials” version of the New Consultant Kit (the Essentials New Consultant Kit includes the Zoe Workshops on the Go^® Scrapbooking Kit as well as order forms, idea book postcards, Annual Inspirations idea books, Holiday Expressions idea books, a Paper Fundamentals sampler, a B&T Duos^® sampler, and the Petite Perks incentive stamp set) for $49 or a regular New Consultant Kit for $129.

If your ready to join the fun, visit my site for more details!

Stay tuned for more projects!  Having so much fun with the new products!
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Redo of Cricut Halloween Card

I was not really happy with the Halloween card I did earlier so see what just changing the paper mat can do to spice it up!  The paper came from the soon to be retired Chalk-It Up Paper Pack.  I had to take the sequins off and I added some liquid glass and glitter on some of the stars on the paper.  Not sure if you can tell or not from the picture.  Then I cut a speech bubble from the NEW CTMH Cricut cartridge ARTISTRY.   I popped up the speech bubble also.  Happy Dance!

Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Birthday Wishes!

I made a birthday card using the Paper Fundamentals -Adventure Pack that is retiring.  I really like how the stamp set Seaside Greetings fits right in with my love of the coast.  I colored the Sparkles with the ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Sap Green Marker to match.  The ink I used was Flaxen for the lighthouse and Olive (retiring) for the sentiment.  I really like how it all went together.  This card would take a whole new look using different colors.  I am trying to find different ways to use up my retiring products to make room for NEW!  In going through my craft room I sure have found items I forgot I had.  Feels like Christmas!!!!  This might be another one for our community paper arts club.

Let me know what you think!  Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Cricut Halloween Card

Since we had Christmas in July, why not Fall in August!  I so need the weather to cool down.  So I started with a Halloween card which is my next favorite holiday after Christmas!  I decided to make the card strictly using the Cricut and using the CTMH Artistry Cartridge and Artiste Cartridge.  I only had to use the Artiste Cartridge for the grass, everything else came from the NEW Artistry Cartridge.  I used my Cricut Explore machine, this way I could size everything correctly and use the pen option to write the title.  Who Ghost There? instead of  Who Goes There?...I thought it was funny! LOL!  I love my Cricut Explore machine! I resisted in the beginning since it only works when you are connected to the internet, but so far I have not had any trouble.  I still have my stand alone Cricut Expressions as a backup though.  I added the sequins and colored them black with the ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Black Marker because the card just looked too plain without any bling.  We must have bling! 

I used CTMH Chocolate and Saddle cardstock for the house.  The grass was Olive Cardstock(which is retiring).  For the pumpkin I used Sunset and Black cardstock.  The card base is Black and the mat is Whisper cardstock.  The title was made using the Cricut Midnight Black Pen.  The ghosts were made from White Daisy cardstock.

I hope you like it!

Thanks so much for stopping by on your busy day!

Happy Crafting!

Happy Anniversary Card

I had a need for an anniversary card, when checking my stash of cards, found I did not have one.  So I went to work and used some leftover CTMH retired paper and went to work.  Here's what I came up with!

I don't think it turned out too bad.  Let me know what you think!  I have enough paper left so I think I will provide this to our community paper art club for a cardmaking session.

I used a retired paper pack called Heartstrings; Silver Shimmer Trim; White Daisy Cardstock for the  base; Slate Cardstock for the banner flag; sentiment came from a stamp set called The Happy Couple; Stuck on you Puffies for the hearts (on the while supplies last list) and Cranberry Ink.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy Crafting!

Monochromatic Card using Paper Fundamentals

I attempted my first monochromatic card using the soon to be retired Paper Fundamentals- Adventure Assortment.  CTMH is redesigning the paper so when going through my soon to be retired papers, I found this pack.  Don't know why I never used it but I seem to have fallen in love with the paper.
The new styles are also great! Saw them at convention!  So I decided to make a card with some retired and new items.  I like the style!  What do you think?  Let me know!

Items used:
Olive Cardstock for base (retiring) 1245
Paper Fundamentals- Adventure Assortment for the mat and flag banner (retiring) Z2032
Skylark Assortment for resin flower (while supplies last) Z3000
CTMH Exclusive Black Ink Z2105
Artistry Cricut Collection Stamp Set for Sentiment Z3167
"NEW" Green Shimmer Trim (available September 1)

Once the paper was chosen, the card took no time to finish.

Thanks for stopping by on your busy day!

Happy Crafting!

August Organization Campaign!

Ready to organize those markers and embellishments?  I can't wait to receive my NEW Marker Roll-up in a few days and get my markers manageable in the drawer and it will always be ready to take to a class.  During the month of August, get your hands on the latest and greatest in organization products from Close To My Heart—with a few perks thrown in!  Order the new marker roll-up at full retail price and receive the new D-size stamp set My Acrylix^® Balloon Wishes FREE! I think I will love that stamp set!  I see so much we can do with it!

Also there is a NEW Accessory Roll-up which is ideal for sorting and storing accessories, Base & Bling items, and embellishments.  Order the new accessory roll-up and receive the new Base & Bling style sheets for FREE!  They are full of gorgeous floral designs and hip icons and sentiments perfectly suited for creating stunning jewelry pieces.  I will use mine for the sequins, keeping them organized and ready to go!  Right now they are just getting lost in a drawer.  I don't know about anyone else but I find it hard to create when there is disorganization. 

At convention, I did get to see what the Base and Bling items were and we all got a necklace and charms.  I am going to need to try some on my own.  It would be nice to personalize jewelry and give as gifts.  I haven't done jewelry making since high school!  LOL!

So check out my website and lets get organized!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Hello from Arizona Card

I decided to do a "Hello from Arizona" card since the NEW Artistry Cartridge has a variety of images.  I happened to have the CTMH Arrow Embossing folder, so it just came all together for me.  "Rare" moment!!!  I hope you like it!  I tried my hand at using some ink to highlight the embossed arrows to make them stand out a little.  It did take some trial and error with the highlighting and I think this one came out pretty good!  I also only embossed the mat 3/4 of the way down to leave room for the arrow and writing.  I really like how this turned out.  May have the community arts club try this!  Let me know what you think!

Products used:
CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge Collection Z3167
Bronze Shimmer Trim Z1849
Desert Sand Ink to distress arrows Z2118
Indian Corn Blue cardstock (retiring) for the card-base,arrow 
and part of the Hello image 1284
Pacifica cardstock for part of Hello image X5759
Cricut Midnight Black Pen for the writing (from Arizona) which is the font from the Artistry Cartridge

Thanks for stopping by on your busy day!  
If there are any supplies you need just check out my website! 

Just comment below if you have any questions and to let me know how I'm doing!

Happy Crafting!

***NEW*** Cricut ARTISTRY Cartridge from CTMH Images

Earlier I posted the announcement for the NEW Cricut Cartridge from CTMH called Artistry.  It is also now available DIGITAL! It still comes with the stamps and cardstock but you will access it only through Cricut Craft Room or Design Space.  No cartridge will be sent! Only $79! This is the first cartridge that has ever come in digital.  Awesome!

Here are the images that are on the cartridge! 

I can't wait to do more with this cartridge.  Ideas are flowing..... You can purchase it here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

There's a New Girl in Town and her name is "Zoe"

Announcing.... My Reflections™ Zoe.  Really beautiful colors and accents!

My Reflections™ Zoe Paper Packet

Item Number: X7197B

Zoe Complements

Item Number: X7197C

Zoe Assortment

Item Number: Z3082

 

It is so versatile, can be used for just about any occasion.  It also comes in a

 Workshops on the Go® Zoe Scrapbooking Kit

Item Number: G1096

Comes with:
1 – My Reflections™ Zoe Paper Packet (X7197B)
1 – My Acrylix® Zoe Workshop Stamp Set (D-size)
3 – Cardstock Sheets (White Daisy)
1 – Zoe Assortment (Z3082)
1 – Coral Shimmer Trim (Z3088)
1 – Instructional Brochure

Plenty of items for scrapbook pages and cards!  Here are some of the projects I have done!

2 page scrapbook layout

left side

right side

fold out booklet from right side scrapbook page

left backside of booklet

right backside of booklet

I also made a card from the kit and the new Artistry Cricut Cartridge.

I told you there is lots in the kit.  I still have leftovers!  
Check back for more ideas.

If you are interested in these NEW items, please check my website out!

The items in the current catalog are also still available, while supplies last.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me! 

Thanks for taking time out of your day to stop by!

Happy Crafting! 

"UP" Layout from Convention

Here is a layout we did at the CTMH Convention in Disneyland.  Our theme was from the UP movie.  The layout used cuts from our new Cricut Cartridge Collection called "Artistry", the new Paper Fundamentals. PF Gold Assortment, PF Compliments, water color paint technique .  When I got home I added a picture I took at Disney World with the Grand-kids.  Too Cute!

Check out my website to see the early release of some of the new products! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

New Cricut Collection- Artistry and Water-coloring Technique

Introducing the new CTMH Cricut Collection called Artistry Z3167!   Not to be confused with Artiste. 

Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: Shapes, Layers, Banners, Borders, Backgrounds, and Font)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets
1 – Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack


Here is my attempt at water-coloring and using the new cartridge for the butterflies and stamp set that is included for the sentiment:

 

I embossed the sentiment so it would resist the water coloring.  Sparkles on the butterflies because there always need to have some bling..right!!  I have to say I really like the new cartridge Artistry and especially since it comes with paper pack instead of the chipboard shapes.  I never did use them, but maybe I should.  Never know until you try.  All the Cricut Collections are now going to come with paper combo packs.  If you still want the original collections, they are on the retired list and will be available will supplies last.  In September they will be back with the new paper addition.  We are not retiring the cartridges, just how the bundle comes, so no need to panic!  I highly recommend if you are new to Cricut, our Cricut Collections are well worth the purchase.  They all come with 3 sets of stamps that match many of the designs in the cartridge.  Additional many of our other stamp sets have matching cuts also.  If you ever noticed a red line around some of the images, that means there is a matching cut on one of the cartridges.  How cool is that!!  

Back to water-coloring..I really need to work on that more.  I used a stencil and our spray pens to try this technique.  Filled the spray pens with some water and the re-inkers for the matching colors to the butterflies.  I used Glacier, Honey and Pear.  I may have added to much water, because I would have liked the colors to be a little darker.  Will just have to keep working on this technique!

The butterfly is a 2 cut image, a front and back.  On the bigger butterfly, I used a piece of scrap paper from the Blossom Paper Pack for the front section along with Glacier Paper for the back section.  The smaller butterflies, I only cut the solid section which is the back section out of Honey and Pear.

So check out the Cricut Collections and image all the possibilities!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!