Embossing is Boss! Got Cardstock?

During the month of February, purchase 2 packs of bulk single or combo colored cardstock and receive your choice of 1 of our 5 new embossing folders FREE!

One of the great things about our embossing folders is that they are 5 x 7!!  That means they will fit a whole standard size card, as well as many other great projects like the strawberry pictured below!

I didn't have my Close to My Heart embossing folders when I made my sample and let me tell you...it was quite tricky to get the whole box into the small embossing folder I was using!  I finally had to let one edge stick out a bit.

After I embossed the cardstock I ran some sandpaper across it to expose the white core.  I love how it turned out!!

The strawberry was cut using the Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge 3d object, page 72

Ready to purchase your own Artiste cartridge or take advantage of the Embossing special?  Head on over to my  my website  and order now, or contact me to set-up your own party and earn more product FREE.

Valentine Treat Tube

Here's another project featuring D1560 Holiday Tags.  The labels can be cut with the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge, which makes it quick and easy to whip up a bunch of tags.
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I cut the cranberry tag from page 37 of the Art Philosophy cartridge

And then cut the white tag 1/4 inch larger using Pg 50.  The wholes didn't line up perfectly so I just re-punched them.

Valentine Countdown featuring cuts from CTMH Cricut Cartridges

Every once in a while I design a project that I love, love, love... and this is one of them.  I wish my picture could do it justice!!!  I used the Designed Decor frame from Close to My Heart

I love this frame.  It's quick and easy to switch it out for different holidays.  Just wait until you see what I have planned for St. Patrick's day!!

I created the countdown with some quick and easy cuts from all three of our Cricut cartridges.

• Art Philosophy - fry boxes, lacy hearts
• Artiste - labels on the boxes
• Artbooking - heart swag

The tags are created with one of my new favorite sets - D1560 Holiday Tags.  (I have several posts lined up featuring this set so if its not on your wish list yet....I think it will be soon!!)

Lava Cake Birthday Jar featuring CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge

I have to tell you, I am sooo BLESSED!!!  I have the MOST amazing customers.  Every month it seems like somebody brings me a goodie or a treat.  Many of them know about my Hello Kitty love and they just can't resist it when they see something cute.  They simply have to bring it to me!  While I am truly grateful, I often think "don't they know I am supposed to spoil them?"

My birthday was last Monday and I got so many fun birthday wishes and surprises!  My buddies left me cards and presents on my porch.  When Candace found out there was not a party happening at my office, she showed up with balloons, cold stone cupcakes and lunch. Suddenly everyone at work had to run an errand and we had a fun afternoon party. LOL.  (Obviously I'm the one that plans all the parties in my department. oops)

I asked permission to share one little gift that just blew me away!  I am glad nobody saw me get  out of my car and run up to my porch to check it out.  It looked so stinkin cute sitting there waiting for me!  Hello it even had a spoon on it!! Love it.

My buddy Sandra used the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the stamps that come with it to create this adorable lava cake in a jar.  The instructions said it had whipped cream frosting and to heat for 20 seconds in the microwave.  I couldn't eat it that night so I put it in the fridge for a couple of days.  (I'm not sure if it had to be refrigerated or not, but I was worried about the whip cream frosting.) Why oh why did I wait so long.  It was sooooo good.  The whip cream frosting really turned lava like. It was some ooey gooey goodness!!

This is one idea I definitely plan to copy.  I felt to special and loved and it was adorable too.

Thank you to everyone that reminded me how truly blessed I am to know so many fabulous people!!!

Artiste Images:

• Banner - Accent 1 pg 35
• Cupcake - Pg. 69
• Birthday Wishes - Accent - Pg. 77

CTMH Easter Basket using Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Still playing around with the "Spring" key on the Close To My Heart (CTMH) Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  There are so many fun projects on this one little key.  It could keep me busy for a while!

This time I made the cute little strawberry basket and turned it into an Easter basket.  Quick, easy and fun!

I wove some of our Chantilly fabric through the sides of the basket and embellished with the Easter Wishes stamp set.

Products Used:

• Cotton Candy Cardstock
• Cotton Candy ink pad
• Key Lime Cardstock (retired - you could use pear or sweet leaf)
• B1422 Easter Wishes
• Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge

In case you missed it - here's the post where I featured the Butterfly Boxes from the same key.

CTMH Artiste Butterfly Boxes

My buddy Candace was prepping for one of her workshops and inspired me to make these adorable butterfly boxes with the Close To My Heart (CTMH) Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

I know many of my customers qualified for the Dotty For You campaign a while back so I thought it would be fun to show you something you can do with some of the paper you might have left.

Project Details:
Size - 3"
Key - Spring pg 73

January 2013 SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month blog hop.  Each month we share ideas featuring the current stamp of the month.  Whether you are starting here, or hopped over from Traci's Blog, you're right on track.  Just keep following the links at the end of the posts to "hop" through all the blogs.

This month's set is S1301 Happy Valentines.

 

One of the great things about this set is that you can use the flowers for just about anything, you're not limited to Valentines!

I used our new markers to color my images. Here's a picture of the Blush and Olive marker sets

 

 And here are a few little projects I created....

I cut this cute little purse with the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Supplies Used:

• Flirty Paper Pack

• Blush and Olive Marker Sets

• CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge

• Ribbon - unknown source

Now it's time to hop on over to Haley's Blog to see what she has created

Wrap it Up! Christmas #2

Here's another fun little gift box idea

Once again I used my Dimensional Elements In Color - Holiday to quickly decorate my  box, but you can easily adapt this to any gift giving holiday and embellish with stamps, tags, dimensional elements, ribbon and so much more.

Have you made a gable box with your Artiste Cartridge?  I'd love to see what you came up with!


Artiste Cartridge - Pg. 37

• Key = 7
• Feature = 3d Object
• Size = fit to page 12 x 12 

Sizing Tip:  For some reason I've noticed that my boxes will cut bigger if I use the fit to page feature.  For instance, if the fit to page says it will cut a box 4" and I turn the feature off and then set my size to 4", the cricut will say the image won't fit.  

Wrap It Up - Christmas #1

With only two more weeks until Christmas, it's time to finish up the shopping and get those presents wrapped!  I'm going to share some fun little boxes, bags and tags that you can create to personalize and decorate gifts for co-workers, friends and all those people that provide you with great service throughout the year (hair dressers, dog groomers, water delivery, trash pick-up, apartment managers etc.....)

To make embellishing quick and easy, I used the Dimensional Elements In Color - Holiday.  

I used the Artiste Cartridge

• Key = 1
• Feature = 3d Object 
• Size = fit to page on 12x12

To decorate the flap with a coordinating paper or color, attach a rectangle of the paper to the flap, flip over and trim along the edge with scissors.

CTMH Workshop on the Go Advent Calendar Kit

I took my Workshops on the Go Advent Calendar Kit to the Scrappin Escapes retreat last weekend and put it all together.  My picture and the picture in the catalog just don't do it justice.  It is so cute in person!  I love it. The drawers are nice and big so you can put a variety of items inside. 

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you assemble your kit:

• If you don't have a lot of time to sit and do it all at once, try breaking down the steps.  Cut your drawers one day.  Score/fold them all another day (if you score and pre-fold, but don't glue your drawers, it will help you identify where to stamp your images.) and then stamp and decorate at a third crafty session.
• Stamp all of your images and then set aside to dry so you don't smudge them.
• Assemble the boxes after you decorate them.  It's easier to work with them when they are flat.
• Don't worry if you stamp a little crooked.  (I did!) I think it adds to the charm!

Here are some suggestions for filling up your drawers:

• Candy (of course!)
• A scripture a day
• An act of service suggestion
• A Christmas task (hang the stockings, decorate the tree etc.)
• Or why not make each day an event, put a scripture, an act of service suggestion and a piece of candy for the blessing in each drawer so you can help your children think beyond gifts and toys!

Do you have more ideas?  Share them in the comments!

You can purchase the Workshop on the Go Kit which includes the cubby, paper, stamp pad and dimensional element decorations (I added the bitty sparkles) or you can purchase the cubby separate if you'd like to create a fun home decor item with different papers that can be used all year long.

Shopping List

G1052 Workshops on the Go Advent Calendar Kit - $44.95

Z1804 My Creations Cubby - $16.95

z1263 Bitty Sparkles - $2.95

Head on over to my website to buy your supplies!

Paper Cupcakes Artiste Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Cupcakes Artiste Blog Hop.  Today we are featuring the Thanksgiving key on the Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge.

Whether you're starting your journey here, or you hopped over from Linda Taylor's blog, you're right on track.

I had so much fun playing with the items on this key.  Instead of going with the traditional shades of Thanksgiving, I used the Clementine paper pack and went with some lighter shades.  (Does anyone else think of Holly Hobby when they see this paper? - I know, I'm dating myself. LOL)

Here's a little collection of items I created that could dress up your holiday table.

I also created a video to show you how easy it is to create the 3-d box.  Please let me know what you think!


Now it's time to hop on over to Karen Cullen's blog to see what she has created.

CTMH Cricut Artiste Swing Cards and Video featuring Moonlight Paper Pack

More Halloween fun!  I love making cards for holidays when cards aren't expected!  It's a fun surprise for your friends, family and co-workers and these cards are so quick and easy, you'll want to make them for all the ghouls and vampires in your life.

Check out my video to see how these cards "swing" open!  

Products Used:

• Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge
• C1522 Creepy Creatures stamp set
• X7161B Moonlight Paper Pack
• Black Stamp Pad
• Markers: Smokey Plum and Olive

Need any of the products featured?  I'd love it if you'd purchase them from me!  Visit my website for quick and easy online shopping!

CTMH Cricut Artiste - Pop-Up Cards

One of the keys I was assigned to use for my Extravaganza Presentation at the Close To My Heart 2012 Convention was the "A" key and it contains fun pop-up cards.

You can create a card that says "Hello" or one that says "love," but as you can see on my board below... I came up with a third option.  Simply flip the card insert over, or cover it with paper and you can have a blank canvas to create whatever kind of pop-up card you'd like!

I'll post a better picture later...but can you tell what part of the key I used to create the little gift with the eiffel tower on the tag?  It's the adorable mailbox!  I put two mailboxes together to create something new.  Stay tuned and I'll post a better picture and more details.

Supplies Used:

• La Belle Vie Paper Pack
• CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge - A Key as well as a few cuts from other keys.
• Glamour Glitter Alphabet
• Birthday Stamps/Balloons are from set included in Artiste Bundle
• D1528 Jardin Stamp Set
• La Belle Vie My Stickease Assortment
• Black, Smokey Plum, Desert Sand and Blush inks

Are you ready to add the Artiste Cartridge to your collection?  You can purchase it, or any of the other Close To My Heart products I've featured, on my website, or contact me to book your own online gathering and earn FREE product too!

CTMH Home Decor - My Creations Bracket Frame

Here's a sneak peek at some fun new products in the new CTMH Autumn/Winter 2012 catalog.  This catalog is full of amazing home decor items that are inexpensive and easy to decorate.  They are perfect for your home, office or to set the stage for a great party.

This is the My Creations Bracket Frame.  This whole project went together so quickly!!!

• Cut Bracket Shape using Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Square 4
• Glue shape to bracket frame
• Flip frame over, cut square out of middle using craft knife.  Leave 1 1/2 border
• Snip border in diagonally in the corners of the square.
• Fold back edges to create finished inner edge.
• Sponge edges
• Embellish with roses and scroll from Artiste Cricut Cartridge
• Add Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems

Products Used:
La Belle Vie Paper Pack
Desert Sand Ink
Opaques Pearl  Adhesive Gems
Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge

These products featured are all available on my website beginning August 1st or you can email me now to pre-order.