Artbooking Made Easy Inspiration!

Well, this new episode of Artbooking Made Easy has been inspirational to say the least!  I am using it as inspiration for a new scrapbook workshop!  Stay tuned for details for this one next month, and take a peek at these adorable layouts!  :)





If you want to see more of these awesome videos, just visit the Artbooking Made Easy Gallery on my website HERE. SOOOO many ideas, so little time!

Dry Erase Board Gift for Family!

Hi there! 

Today I have another super-fun and easy to make gift!  This one is a little family message center, or a place to leave a little love note!  :)  I made this particular piece for my brother-in-laws family.

I used both the Close to My Heart Framework Alphabet and the Keyboard Uppercase My Acrylix sets for the lettering.  These are my two favorite letter sets as both of these are wonderfully stress-free alphas to work with.  You just don't have to get the placement perfect for it to look fab!  ;)

I used the Sightseer set for the triple chevron at the top left, and the stamp on the right here is from the super versatile set All the Details.

I wanted to use the neutral Slate Polka-Dot Washi to add just a bit more detail!  ;)

I attached a dry erase pen with a couple of the little hook and loop dots that we have in the Idea Book.  They are really handy for projects like this one! 

I sense a few more of these in my future!  :)

Dry Erase Board Gift for a Teacher

Hi everyone!  I wanted to share this easy gift I made for my daughter's teacher this year for Christmas.  It is never too late to start planning for next year, right?  ;)

I used a cute handwriting lined scrapbook paper from the My Reflections line and attached a dry erase marker to the top with my Close to My Heart hook and loop dots.  

Just add a personalized message to your memo board for a special touch! 

This is a fantastic gift idea for lots of different people, so use your imagination, and get crafty!  :)

Merry Christmas to You!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

Have a super day, my crafty friends!  Today, I just wanted to share the verses from the book of Luke that tell the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus.  What a wonderful reason for the season!

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Tag (You're It!) Tuesday: Non-traditional Christmas Colors

Happy Christmas Eve!!!  I am getting all geared up for tomorrow, how about you?  :)

Here is the last tag I have to show you this year, sniff!  I used some rather non-traditional Christmas colors to make it, and I really like it!

I adore this tag shape from Artiste!  I had some left over from a cut-a-thon, so decided to use some up!  :)  I used Crystal Blue CS and Pear Ink from Close to My Heart and just a splash of shine and sparkle to pull this tag all together. 

I could not believe I never thought to nest this snowflake punch inside the flower before!  It fit perfectly!  The combination went all too well with an ivy leaf.  Great color combo, too.

This My Acrylix set from Close to My Heart has quickly become a seasonal favorite of mine this year. 

A Holiday

 Here are the rest of the supplies I used...super fast and sweet!   Creative Memories Snowflake Punch, Marvy flower punch, Silver Washi from the Sparkle and Shine Washi 3-pack, Silver Glitter Paper, and MCT tag die set.

Now, go relax before the mad dash to Christmas morning!!!  :)

Last Minute Cricut Artiste Christmas Gift Idea

We are in the home stretch!  Are you ready?  If you need a last-minute gift idea, you are in the right place!

I made this simple gift card holder using my Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste cartridge and my Cricut Expression 2 cutting machine.  If you don't have one, you might want to ask Santa!  ;)

I cut it out of White Daisy CS and added a panel of Cranberry to the front, back, and inside.  The mustache cut is also found on this cartridge, so you don't need another one for this project!  :)  The rest of Santa's jolly face is made with bits from the Mini-Medley Ruby and Black collections.

I used is a retired My Acrylix stamp set called Christmas Joy, but any Christmas sentiment will do.  

I just love how the scalloped edge mimics Santa's white, puffy trim on his suit!  It is the perfect easy gift card holder for family and friends!

Here is a bonus idea for that Santa Stache from my girlie's class holiday party...the kids LOVED them!

Don't forget in the bustle of the season that time is running out to get your hands on the Stamp of the Month for December!  You can fill your cart with just $50 of products on my website to get it for only $5, too!!!  This one even coordinates with the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Collection!  Check it out HERE.

My Creations Box for the Birthday Girl

Happy birthday to my sweet middle girlie today!

I used one of Close to My Heart's fantastic My Creations 3D items to make the perfect gift box for her present...the Ring Box.  Can you spot the sneak peek of two brand new products coming out in the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book?  ;)

This sturdy little ring box is perfect for a small gift--like the necklace I am giving!  I made a rosette cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge with Crystal Blue CS and placed a hand trimmed Single Snowflake stamped in Lagoon on top.  See those shiny silver triangles?  They are a BRAND NEW product in the new Idea Book called Triangles Durable Studs.  I adore how they accent the corners of the box top.  I also added a sprinkling of Bitty Sparkles.

The sides of the box were a lot simpler.  I just used strips of Silver Washi Tape, Surf's Up Zip Strip, and Teal Shimmer Trim.  Wait a minute!  TEAL shimmer trim???  Yep, another BRAND NEW product in the 2014 Spring and Summer Idea Book from Close to My Heart!

The little tag in the shape of a mitten is cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge on the sweet chevron pattern in the Frosted Paper Packet.  Just a leftover cut from a past project--save those scraps, I tell you!  ;)  I added a bow of white baker's twine and attached it with a Slate Striped Twist Tie! 

Stay tuned to my blog to find out how YOU can get your hands on these two new products, plus another one, before they are released in the 2014 Spring and Summer Idea Book!

Now, off to celebrate the birthday girl!  :)

So You Think You aren't Crafty?

I have been in a time crunch lately...as I know many of us have been with Christmas sneaking up on us.  I need simple right now, and this idea is about as simple as it gets! 

Even if you are not a crafty crafter, a sparkly Santa Hat is the perfect addition to a holiday card or envelope! 

Sometimes, you just have to go easy!  ;)  Now go get your last minute shopping done, lol!

Sparkle and Shine with Color My Heart

Welcome back for another Color Dare!  This is a bittersweet post for me to write because it is my final creation as a member of the wonderful Color My Heart DT.  I will miss being on the team, but will definitely still be checking in from time to time!  :)

This week, we invite you to Sparkle and Shine!  That's right!  Use the colors Ruby and Juniper from the new Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet in a new creation to link up with us!

I decided to use mine to decorate a pillow box just in time for Christmas.

These My Creations Clear Pillow Boxes are so much fun to decorate!  I can't believe I haven't played with them before now.  I used my favorite pattern from the Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet--the ornaments.  What better shape to use as the tag on this one than an ornament too?  :)  I covered part of the top and bottom with the new Silver and Juniper washi from the Sparkle and Shine Washi 3-Pack.  Washi is a quick and easy addition to any project. 

This sentiment is from a retired Christmas My Acrylix set called Christmas Joy.  I tied the tag on the box with the twine found in the Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection.  It has a great streak of silver in it!

Are you ready to Sparkle and Shine?  Show us what you make by linking up over at the Color My Heart Color Dare!  You could win a badge to display on your own blog!  :)

Don't be a stranger, now!  See you soon. 

Another Smoochie Snowman

Like I said, I love to make Christmas tags!!!  I have another one that I absolutely adore to show you...

I used my Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas again along with some of my Close to My Heart Kraft CS, Sparkle and Shine Paper, and the Art Philosophy Collection to make this little guy for my next Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog Entry! 

Here is the fun little tag...

I really love this set of snowpeeps.  Here is a complete list of supplies I used for this one...

Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Collection
CTMH Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet
CTMH Kraft CS, Garden Green CS
CTMH Olive Exclusive Ink
CTMH Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
CTMH Black Sparkle Button (retired)

Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas stamp and die set--http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/
Lawn Fawn Gold Sparkle Single Cord
Teresa Collins Enamel Dots

O Christmas Tag, O Christmas Tag!

You have probably noticed that I adore making Christmas gift tags this time of year.  :)

I have so many to share that I will need a few more days than Tuesdays to get you through them and making some of your own in time for Christmas.  Here we go!

These two tags were made with leftover cuts from other projects that I have finished.  I keep all my extra cuts, and reach for the drawers often in search of inspiration.  Extra tag cuts are always great to have on hand for split second creating.  :)

This one features the retired Avonlea Scrapbook Workshop on the Go My Acrylix set and a cut from Artiste.  I added a red bow of shimmer trim for a bit of sparkle.  Done!

This next tag was fun to play with for a while.  The Ho, ho, ho cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge has been in the drawer for a while, and this seemed the perfect time to use it!  I used the Dakota scraps on my desk for the Santa hat, the new Magical Days My Acrylix for the image with the 25, and had some Cricut Artbooking chevron leftovers from yet another past project that I used at the bottom.  That is strip of silver washi sandwiched in between them...

And just one more with that same Ho, Ho, Ho from Artiste...AND a cutie pie little Washi Santa Hat!  I used the Season's Tweetings My Acrylix for this one.

Tags are really great, small canvases for some speedy crafting.  It just seems natural to combine my leftover scraps to make some wonderful and quick creations!  Do you like to make Christmas gift tags too?

Tag (You're It!) Tuesday: It's Easy with Artiste!

I have some more Christmas tags hanging out around here, so let me show you just how easy it can be to make your own!

I used the Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste and Artbooking Cartridges along with my Cricut Expression cutting machine to make this great dimensional tag.

The Topiary CS bow is a cut found on Artiste.  I backed it with a simple square of Sparkle and Shine Paper, and used a tiny strip of shimmer trim to bling it up a bit.  My shimmer trim has been feeling a bit neglected lately, but my hubs is doing GREAT with his new hip and is finally back to work--so I have been able to spend a bit more time with it lately.  ;)

The tag shape is found on Artiste as well, and I used my Kraft paper for a great neutral background.  This allows me to cut several tags at a time and use them at a later date with many different colors!  What a great time-saver!  Use birthday themed papers for these same cuts, and you have another super tag!  :)

Tune in for more tag inspiration tomorrow!  :)

Sparkle and Shine with Heart 2 Heart Challenges

Hi everyone!  It is a bittersweet post today as I share my final creation with you for Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  I am taking some time off from DT duties in order to devote some time to other things.  It was a really hard decision to make, but I know it is the right one for me right now.  I will be popping in often to check on all your amazing creations, and maybe even get to play along, though!

This week, we want you to get creative with the colors from the new Close to My Heart Sparkle and Shine Papers.  Also, as an added "challenge" show us your SPARKLE!

I decided to decorate a My Creations Clear Pillow Box with my Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet, Sparkle and Shine Complements, and my trusty Silver Shimmer Trim!  :)

I am completely in love with how easily this came together!  I stamped the ivy leaves in Juniper Ink using the large leaf in the Close to My Heart A Holiday My Acrylix Stamp Set.  The fabulous glittery red button I added is found in the Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection.  I tied it on with the Grey Baker's Twine that is currently in the Retiring Section of my website, so won't be available much longer.

I just LOVE the complements that coordinate with these papers!  There are even actual gift tags included for some super-easy embellishing.  :)

I thank you all for the lovely comments you leave (really, I adore hearing from you guys) and for always popping in to see what I have to share with you on my blog.  Join us over at Heart 2 Heart for this one last challenge of the year, and remember to never, ever let anyone dull your sparkle!  :)

See you soon!

'Snow Challenge Like a SNOW Challenge! ;)

Time to play again!

This week over at CAS-ual Fridays they have a snow challenge.  Lucky me just happened to be playing with my new Paper Smooches Snowmen, and I have JUST the card to share!  :)

This one is going to be my first ever entry for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge, too!  Yay!

A friend of ours fell down some stairs and broke his leg after Thanksgiving.  He had to have surgery, and if off his leg for 8 weeks!   I decided he doesn't have many options but this...

Totally the perfect sentiment!  ;)  I used my Close to My Heart Twilight CS along with the Sizzix Hero Arts Christmas Dots embossing folder.  Our CTMH cardstock all has a white core, so it is great to use for sanding like this, not to mention super-easy!

I could not resist these guys from the Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas stamp set available at http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/.  I was soooo happy when I found out the stamps had matching dies too! I stamped them on White Daisy CS with my Black Exclusive Ink.  Their little carrot noses are just colored in with an orange marker.  Easy...just the way I like it.

I used lots of adhesive foam to make the card a bit more dimensionally interesting.  LOVE how it all came together!

Turns out that another challenge I like to play along with, Addicted to CAS, is using the codeword: Snowflakes this week, so I am linking up over there as well, yay!  :)

Thanks for stopping in today!  :)

Trim the Tree with Artiste and Art Philosophy!

Hi again!

I wanted to show you a little project that my small group from church worked on last week.  We decided to get together and decorate a Christmas tree in the village hall,  Our theme was "Better Together" which was also the theme of the bible study we had concluded recently.  We used the Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste and Art Philosophy Cartridges to make it all come together easily.  :)

My friend used the Cricut markers and the Artiste Cartridge to design this brilliant sign...

The banner is from the Art Philosophy cartridge, and the puzzle pieces are again from Artiste.

We had a lot of fun coming up with things that just go better together, like peanut butter and jelly,  cheese and crackers, and a bat and ball, and even more fun decorating the tree.  I even managed to sneak in some glitter!  Doesn't a bit of sparkle make anything better?   ;)

And the Winner IS....

I am back to reveal the winner of my 12 Days of Christmas mystery box full of CTMH goodies! 

Are you ready?


The winner is....

Congrats, Barb!  Thanks to everyone who participated in my sale, and have a wonderful weekend!  :)

Thank YOU!

My customers are the BEST!  I am so grateful for each and every one of you!  I will be announcing the winner of my mystery box later today, but first, a card!

My super-talented daughter created another amazing card, and since it's a thank you card, it was the perfect share for today!  She used Topiary and Smoothie CS together for an out-of-this-world combination!   I love this combo for Christmas, and it was perfect with her embellishment rub-ons.
The Thank You sentiment is from the retired For Every Occasion My Acrylix set.  She even added to the inside!

I just love her creations!

So, want to see who won the mystery box?  I will meet you back here later this evening after I get all the orders over the past 12 days rounded up!  See you soon, and good luck!  :)

Final Day of My 12 Days of Christmas Sale!!!

Hi everyone!!!  I have some super-exciting news to share before we get to my sale announcement!  I was chosen by Emma as the winner of her Designer Challenge!!!  I am absolutely thrilled to pieces...and needed a boost after my limited crafty time lately.  :)  You can see the winners post HERE.  This is the cutie-pie little tag that she chose...

Alright, on with the SALE!!!

Today is the LAST day of my sale, and the last chance for you to pick up a freebie from me!

So, I made it a GREAT freebie!  Chose any My Reflections Paper Packet on my website for FREE when you place a $55 order!   I love to spoil my customers, and what better way to wrap up my sale than with PAPER!!!  Just order $55 worth of products from my website today HERE, and then let me know which packet you want me to send you!  :)

It is the last day to qualify to win that amazing box containing $50 of CTMH goodies too simply by placing an order!  Thank you to everyone who has participated in my sale, and good luck in the drawing!!!  :)

Don't forget to add the Stamp of the Month for just $5 more with your order!  It is a $17.95 value!

12 Days of Christmas Sale Day 11 and ALMOST OVER!!!!

This sale is just flying by!  We are up to day 11, so hang onto your hats and take a peek!

I promise you that I am not crazy!  These deals sure are, though!  ;)  AND this one is only good for today, so don't wait too long!  Just place your order over HERE on my website for $55 dollars or more of fantastic Close to My Heart products, and then let me know which size B stamp you would like to receive as your free gift from me! 

Don't forget that you will qualify to get the Stamp of the Month--Special Care for only $5!

12 Days of Christmas Sale Day 10 and Tag (You're It!) Tuesday!

Day 10 was begging for more Christmas tags, so I happily obliged!

I absolutely love the Kraft paper this year for tags.  It just provides such a great base for the colors of Christmas to pop right off!  I used my Close to My Heart Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet and Topiary CS for the bows on these.  My trusty Artiste Cricut Cartridge took care of the easy to assemble bows which I simply popped a brad through to hold in place!  So simple!

I used the Mini Tower Pigment Inks for these tags to allow the color to remain true when stamped on the darker paper.  They come in each of our 40 colors!  :)  This image is found on the December 25th My Acrylix Set.

You can still pick up the baker's twine I used on my website while it lasts, but it will be sold out when they are gone.

Now, who wants to see the Sale special for today???

Yep!  It's back for the last time!  Any size order gets a freebie today AND an entry to win that $50 mystery box filled with CTMH goodies!!!  Just place your order on my website HERE, and then let me know which size M stamp you would like!   Give it away, or keep it for yourself! 

Don't forget to check out the adorable Stamp of the Month too!  It coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection and is just $5 with a $50 purchase all month long.  :)