Pemberley Purse - CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge

I have always loved those little paper purses that I have seen people making.  You might imagine how happy I was to have several available to me on the Artiste cartridge.  I decided to make one out of CTMH Pemberley paper set.  I cut the purse at 3".  Although I hand cut the light blue floral piece on the bottom of the purse, the top floral overlay, handle and 3D flower were all from Artiste as well.  Isn't it perfect to tuck some cash or a gift card into for a beautiful gift presentation?  And the best part was that the whole thing took under 5 minutes to make!  Remember to place your order for the cartridge early on August 1st, tomorrow, in order to be among the first to receive it!  You may shop with me by clicking here.  Thanks for looking!

A Spooky Coffin - CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge

My daughter, Isabella, wanted to make a 3D coffin box from the Artiste cartridge today.  We used a new My Reflections paper packet called Moonlight.  At the suggestion of the handbook, I set the size dial to 7.5", and it cut a coffin that turned out exactly that tall when completed.

Did I mention that Artiste comes with a second handbook, that details how to create each and every one of the 3D items on the cartridge?  Pretty cool, huh?

Here are my cut and folded coffin pieces.

 

Here they are glued, and it couldn't have been easier!

 

Using shapes and the word Spooky from Artiste, I created these cute embellishments.  The spider web shapes are actually a border that I cut to fit.  I also used some of the new Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon that will be available on August 1st along with the Moonlight paper.  The word "beware" was from a strip at the top of one of my Moonlight papers.

So, it would only be right to fill this little box up with sweet treats for Halloween, but Isabella wanted to create a little surprise under the treats, so we cut out the cute little skeleton and glued it inside the coffin!

Don't forget to shop with me on August 1, 2012 when all of these new must haves are available for sale.

CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge Baby Shoes

I arrived home yesterday to find that my Artiste cartridge had arrived.  Let me tell you...I did not think it would be possible to love a cartridge more than I do Art Philosophy, but CTMH really hit it out of the park with Artiste!  I simply did not know where to start, having sooooo many options available to me.  Although the schedules of the four kids don't leave me with very much free time, I found just enough time to play with the cute little baby shoe image.  We are going to have 4 new babies in our family very soon - one great niece and 3 new cousins!!!  I started out cutting the shoes tiny, at 2.5 inches, and out of CTMH Lucy paper.  I used the CTMH Love Life acrylic stamp set for the little words happiness and cherish.  I did not really know what to expect but I love them.   They might go into a flower corsage at some point in time.  Don't forget that Artiste will be available for sale on August 1st.  Until then, keep checking as I share more project inspiration with you.

CTMH Artiste Christmas Trees

I love Christmas projects, so when I saw this great Christmas tree project out of our new idea book, I thought that I would share it with you.  The trees are made with the new CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, which will be available as a bundle for $99 beginning on August 1, 2012.  I can't wait until I can make some of my own.  Aren't they super cute?

Exciting News - New CTMH Artiste Cartridge!!!

What exciting news...a new CTMH Cricut cartridge called Artiste.  It will be available to all of you Art Philosophy lovers beginning on August 1st.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.  

The cartridge includes over 700 images, 3 coordinating stamp sets and 3 sets of 9"x12" coordinating sheets of Dimensional Elements!!!

It includes even more 3D projects, a wide variety of shapes, a font, cards and so very much more.  I will keep you updated as I learn more about this exciting cartridge.

Click here to see the handbook of all of the images on Artiste.

Free Perfect Pairs

During July, get a free paper packet and coordinating accessory with a qualifying online purchase.

Place an online order of $75 or more from my website in July and CTMH will send you a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month. 

Order Dates	Perfect Pair	Retail Value
July 1–5	Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462)	$15.90
July 6–10	Dreamin’ Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633)	$14.90
July 11–15	Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400)	$17.90
July 16–20	Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C)	$17.90
July 21–25	Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C)	$17.90
July 26–29	Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C)	$17.90
July 30–31	Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease® Assortment (X7146C)	$14.90

July Stamp of the Month

I know that I am a little late getting July's Stamp of the Month information out to you, but helping at two separate Expos can put real life on hold!  It has such great sayings on it, and it is available for $5 with a purchase of $50 or more on my website. 

CTMH Art Philosophy Gift Boxes

I don't think that I will breaking any Expo rules by sharing my 8 little gift boxes that I made using the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I hope to show the versatility of the cartridge.  All of the embellishments were made with the cartridge as well.  I will go into more detail about the stamp sets used if anyone should need me to...just as soon as I have returned from the Expo!  Here they are...

Scrapbook Expo Here I Come!!!

I just wanted to let you guys know that I will be heading out to the Valley Forge Scrapbook Expo.  Will you be attending?  If you are...please drop by Karen Hollis' Close To My Heart booth.  I will be there teaching a Create and Take scrapbook layout on both Friday and Saturday.  Although the Expo limits what we are able to share ahead of time, I can tell you that Karen's talented group will have some wonderful projects in store.  Be sure to stop by and say hello!!!

Father's Day Card 2012 - Mojo Monday 245

Have any of you visited mojomonday.blogspot.com?  Each Monday, they put out a new sketch as a challenge for all of us who just don't know where to start.  I had to make our Father's Day cards, and used the Mojo 245 as a guide.  I used CTMH Victory exclusive papers to create my card, along with the Art Philosophy cartridge and one of the My Acrylix stamps that came along with my cartridge.  The stamp sets are so versatile and coordinate with the shapes on the cartridge.  The three cards that I made were soooo quick and easy to put together with the inspiration from Julee Tillman's sketch.

June Specials...It's Stampaganza Time!

I am so excited that it is June.  Close To My Heart is featuring a couple of wonderful specials for us.  The first is Stampaganza...where you can choose a FREE STAMP SET (of equal or lesser value) for every two that you purchase.  What a great way to get those stamp sets that you have been dreaming about, while saving so much!

And if free stamps weren't enough, there is the most adorable Stamp of the Month being offered for only $5 with a $50 purchase.  Let me just tell you - I am in love with this set.  Click here if you would like to see more projects made with Life is Tweet.  To see all of the fabulous items CTMH has to offer, click here to browse on my website.  Happy creating!

Hooray Bouquet Mini Frames

Hi everyone.  I know that it has been ages since I have shared a project, and I thought that you might enjoy this one.  I found a box of 20 brand new, assorted picture frames at a garage sale for $2.  It had 7 of these little frames that I quickly had a plan for. You could use any frame that you had.  I pulled out my Hooray Bouquet stamp set and got busy.  I love this stamp set because of the limitless flower combinations that you can come up with just by switching out different layers and colors.  Using my CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge, I cut out 2 corresponding large flowers along with 1 smaller one.  Did you know that the stamp set tells you exactly what size to set your Cricut dial to?  I used one of the larger petals, stamped with Garden Green ink, and cut it apart to form the leaves.  I stamped the flowers using Goldrush and Autumn Terracotta ink.  The sentiment was stamped with Cocoa ink and put inside the frame.  The flowers were layered  with 3D Foam Tape to make them pop off of the frame.  To finish it all off, I just added a little bling to the center of the flower.  I thought these would make cute little teacher gifts, or for anyone that makes you smile!

Plumped Up Bird Ornament from Art Philosophy

My Grandma Irene was always a fan of birds, and Cardinals were her favorite.  When I saw the bird image included in the Art Philosophy cartridge, I immediately knew that I had to make some kind of a .bird ornament for the holidays with it.  I used the red plaid B&T Duos paper from the Believe paper packet.  I cut out one bird at 4" and its flipped image also at 4".  I did the same for the wings, but just used the reverse side of the paper.  (There is a button on my expression that says flip, and it produces the mirror image for those of you that have never tried it :)   

Next, I used a paper piercer to poke holes along the outside of the bird's body.

Using a large needle and some baker's twine, I just stitched the bird almost all of the way closed.  I used some stuffing and plumped up my bird before finishing off my stitches.  I used that simple stitch that you learn in elementary school.

My bird was easy to finish.  I glued the wings on, added some Opaques Adhesive Gems for the eyes and glittered the tail with some Red Glitz Glitter Gel.  I added a little more baker's twine that I stitched through one of the pierced holes to form a hanger, and hung the bird from the tree.

Joy and Noel Blocks

It feels like forever since I have been able to post, and I guess it has.  It all started a few weekends ago when our scenic little ski town was hit with 19" of snow.  Really, that is not that much snow for us, but we usually don't get snow when all of the leaves are still on the trees.  Have you ever tried Trick or Treating with that much snow???  We went days without power, but we were lucky enough to be taken in by my sister and her family.  Once the power finally came back it was time to play catch up on the laundry and housework!  Then came all of the end of the season sports and marching band festivities, two of the kids' birthdays, and well, it is now November 19th!!!

 

I was in HomeGoods this past week and found 2 sets of 5 wooden blocks for only $2 per set.  No wonder they were so cheap...they had the word HOUSE on them in an ugly blue font with an even uglier background.  I gave them a makeover by recovering them with paper from the Close To My Heart Believe paper packet.  Using the Art Philosophy cartridge, I cut out my desired letters at 2.75" with the real dial size selected.  I embellished with some of the pretty snowflakes 1.5" and some holly leaves 1.25" cut with my Cricut and the Art Philosophy as well.  I added some bling and baker's twine for the finishing touches.  I ended up with 3 sets of words and they were so easy to put together with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

I think that they would be perfect gifts for teachers or neighbors.  Remember to always look beyond the obvious and visualize what some "ugly" blocks might become!

 

Art Philosophy Christmas Poinsettias

Did you notice the little poinsettias on my gift card holders?  They were made from that six sided flower shape on the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Boy, how I love that shape!  From pumpkin toppers, to Christmas trees to poinsettias, it really is the most versatile shape.  Here is one of the poinsettias that I have turned into a cute little pin.  I spent the afternoon making 24 of these beauties into pins, and I have twelve that I might turn into hair accessories.  Of course, they are all going to be for the craft show.  They would even make really cute tags for packages, strung with some bakers twine, which I am patiently waiting to arrive.  The two layers of red petals were cut at 1.75" and stamped with the corresponding AP Bundle stamp, and the green petal layer was cut at 2.25", just in case you want to make your own.

Craft Show Gift Card Holders

I have finally started working on some projects for a craft show that I am doing on November 5, 2011, at the Sparta Ambulance Building in Sparta, NJ.  I have a couple of friends also participating in the show and it sounded like fun.  Then the reality set in that I would need to find more time to make what I planned on selling!  Here is my first idea.  Of course, it is created entirely from shapes on the CTMH Art cartridge.  The stamping was created from the My Acrylix Stamp Set called "December 25th".  I could not resist that set when I first saw it, and I plan on making many a tag with it.  You can purchase December 25th, the Believe Paper Packet, and the Art Philosophy bundle by clicking here.

 If you would like to make your own, here is a photo of the pieces that I cut out, minus the embellishments.  I cut the scalloped circle at 4", and the plain circle pieces at 3.7" (I cut each of these plain circles in half.)  I embossed the solid piece using my Cuttlebug and glued it completely to the scalloped circle.  I only glued the patterned B&T Duo paper carefully around the rounded edges, to create a pocket for my gift card.  The last step is to embellish as desired.

So, now is the tough part.  What would you craft show veterans say that I should price these at?  I want to sell them, and not take them home, but the details make them a little time consuming.  I  really look forward to your comments...thanks!

Winter Wonderland Tree from Art Philosophy Cartridge

Please see Sparkle and Shine Christmas Tree Kit post dated 12/08/13 for new updates!

Have you been wondering what I have been up to recently?  Well, I have been busy creating a Winter Wonderland Tree courtesy of my Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I started by choosing some paper from the CTMH Believe Paper Packet.  I choose the pretty green patterned B&T Duo cardstock with stars, along with the Topiary cardstock for a traditional looking tree.  I threw in a few sheets of Daisy White cardstock for the snowy tips of my branches.  Here is the Believe Paper Packet, well almost - it is missing its Sweet Leaf cardstock...

 

 All supplies for this project, including the Art Philosophy cartridge can be purchased by shopping with me and clicking here.  Still don't have the Art Philosophy cartridge?  Remember, the holidays are right around the corner.  Tell your loved ones to visit my blog if the cartridge bundle is on your wish list this year! 

Really Inexpensive Gift Tags

 Have you checked out the "While Supplies Last" section of my CTMH website?  There are some really great deals to be had there. Like this Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-On set.  It is 78% off right now, making it only

 $3.  It comes with two full sheets of 6" x 12" rub-ons, and three full 6" x12" glitter sheets, so that you get to customize your rub-ons.

  I recently received my set in my order and I had a plan in mind.

 Using the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge, I cut two corresponding  stars out of our CTMH Crystal Blue and White Daisy Cardstock.

Then I pulled out my "While Supplies Last" Twinkle Brads.  They are a steal at $1.

I layered the two stars, inking the edges of the smaller one, of course.  I then used one of the many Glitter Rub-ons.  I used a  Twinkle Brad for a little embellishment, and it can also be used to loop a hanger around.

I couldn't stop at just one, so I cut out two Art Philosophy Christmas trees.  I trimmed the bottom of the white layer, so my Sweet Leaf Cardstock peaked out a little more.  Again, I added one of the larger Twinkle Brads.  You can make many dozens of these tags in no time with a few packages of the Twinkle Brads and the Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-ons.  You could use these as gift tags or even pretty ornaments.  Sell them at craft shows this holiday season.  Box them up and give a set for a teacher gift they can really use! 

Do not hesitate to pick these goodies up quickly.  They will be going fast at such a great price!  Click here to shop the entire line of CTMH products currently available.

Holiday Magic - The October CTMH Stamp of the Month

Fall is upon us now, and the holidays are fast approaching.  What better way to get prepared for Christmas than with a little Holiday Magic?

This stamp set can be yours for only $5 with a $50 purchase during this month only.  I love that several of the images can be cut out with the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge for Cricut.  What magical holiday splendor you will be able to create when you receive your very own Holiday Magic stamp set!

Don't miss out...to place your online order, please click here.