Base and Bling Magnets and a Pendant with a Twist

Back again!  I have a quick post about two of the little gifties I created for my CTMH sisters at convention.

I just love how easy these were!!!  I used the clear cover/glass of the Base and Bling necklace to make some little magnets with liquid glass.  I started off super-simple, and then had a stroke of inspiration!

I still can't get over the mickey ears!  I cut them out from the Mickey and Friends Cricut Cartridge.  They were actually left over from another project that I still have to show you...AFTER a certain something happens!!!!  EEEEEK!  I just cannot wait!!!  ;)

One more little something from the base and bling!  I made this awesome Damask look pendant using the For Always Textiles!  Added bonus on this one when the fabric turned BLUE in places!  Isn't it a neat look?

Be back soon!  :)

Countdown to Graduation Continues...

Four days and counting...

I am almost ready for this HUGE moment.  ALMOST.  And I am not just talking about the party.  Actually, I am not sure a mom can possibly EVER be ready for her firstborn to graduate from high school!  I'm slowing things down a bit here to revisit almost 18 years of pictures in my Artbooking mini-album made with the beautiful papers in the Ariana Paper Packet.

Up today are the first three years of high school.  She might not like these first two school pics, but I love to see the progression from year to year, so I didn't leave any out!  It's totally my prerogative as the mom.  :)

I love the way this page came together.  The name of each school year is stamped from the School Years My Acrylix in White Daisy pigment ink onto vellum flags.  If you love vellum like I do, then check out the sweet Free to Be Me paper packet available this month from Close to My Heart!  It comes with two different vellum prints--gold polka-dots and feathers!  I swoon just thinking about it!  ;)  Back to the mini...

This awesome title element is taken from the Overlay key on the Artbooking cartridge.  Here is what it looked like before I trimmed it up...

I accented each of the fishtails with the Sparkles Chevron Shapes.  I admit I was a bit scissors happy with these embellishments.  A real cut-up.  Should I stop now?  ;)

LOVE the Junior year picture sooooo much!  :)

 Glitter paper, CHECK!  :)  Oh, and let me tell you...texting is BIG-time around here, lol.

I cut part of a Sparkles Flourish for this one--shocking, eh?  This is absolutely the perfect Complement to use,"Be who you are and no one else."  Words she has definitely embodied over the years.  *sniff*  Oh man, here we go again with the tears...see you tomorrow!   

Counting Down to Graduation with Ariana and Artbooking

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating a special mother in your life.  Time to turn things over to celebrating a fabulous daughter in my life this week!  My oldest is graduating, and it totally sneaked up on me...

Reminiscing is something that I can easily do with this sweet mini-album I made with my Cricut Artbooking Cartridge on my Expression Machine.  Here are a few more looks inside!

I don't think the Polaroid trend will ever leave my pages...I just love the look!  This particular cut is a great way to use the Close to My Heart Glitter Paper.  Again, one of my go-to products, I just love how these Marquee White Enamel Shapes POP off the Outdoor Denim CS.

I completely adore this combination of stripes and floral in the Ariana Paper Packet!

The beautiful patterns and blooms are wonderful to use in conjunction with vellum and sparkles to make it even more feminine.  I added these Bitty Sparkles to the chipboard flower from the Ariana Complements--see what a difference just a little bit of embellishment can make?  The tiny little bows in the Ariana Assortment are also perfect!

Simple pages in mini-albums are a quick way to add photos without taking a big chunk of time out of your scrapping.  I used just a bit of Silver Shimmer Trim and an Artbooking cut to dress this one up.

I just love this trio from Junior High! 

I made more simple embellishments using patterned papers, Enamel Shapes, and Shimmer Trim.  :) 

Why does it seem like time is flying JUST as fast as the pages in this album are turning?  I will show you more later this week!  :)

Another Page in My Cricut Artbooking Ariana Mini Album

Welcome back!  I hope you stopped back in today to see more of my Ariana Mini Album that I made with the awesome Artbooking Cartridge from Close to My Heart.  This one uses my favorite pattern in the pack!  :)

This page was so fun to embellish!  I started with the title cuts found on Artbooking.  The fishtail flag cuts just like this from the cartridge, and I backed it with Tan Glitter Paper with a thin layer of Liquid Glass. 

The single chevron Marquee Enamel Shape is a great addition since it pops off the pattern paper.  Some Sparkles and the tiny bow from the Ariana Assortment are wonderful feminine touches.

If you want to play along with us at the Color Dare this week, click HERE!  

What if I told you that until the end of the month you can actually get the Artbooking Collection for FREE???   It's true!!!  Anyone who purchases the New Consultant Kit in April can choose a FREE Cricut Collection!  Whether you have your sights set on starting a business, or just starting up a collection of products at a great discount, you are welcome to join Close to My Heart this month.  There has never been a better time to join!  There are only THREE days left to take advantage of this amazing offer, so READ HERE if you have any questions!  If you already know you want to take advantage of this offer, then CLICK HERE to become a part of team Been There, Blinged That!  :)

Here is everything that comes in the New Consultant Kit (over $300 value!):

Read Me First Letter, Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Books (qty. 10), Hostess Order Forms (qty. 25), Customer Order Forms (qty. 25), Close To My Heart Color Swatches (W471), Spring/Summer 2014 B&T Duos™ Sampler (W1127), Petite Perks Delicate Wings Incentive Stamp Set (qty. 5) (W2028), Reflections Scrapbook Program (9037), Originals Card Confidence Program™ (9036), Workshops on the Go™ Skylark Scrapbooking Kit (G1072), Skylark Complements Dimensional Elements (X7177C), Skylark B&T Duos™ Bulk Paper (BULK322), Skylark Bulk Resin Flowers (BULK340), Durables Triangle Studs (Z1928), Teal Shimmer Trim (Z1918), Lagoon Exclusive Inks™Pad (Z2195), Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™Pad (Z2118), Slate Exclusive Inks™Pad (Z2173), My Acrylix™Hopscotch Alphabet Stamp Set(E1028), My Acrylix™True to Life Stamp Set (C1575), My Acrylix™Believe in Yourself Stamp Set (C1574),3" x 3" My Acrylix™Block (Y1006), 4" x 5" My Acrylix™Block (Y1012), 2" x 6 ½" My Acrylix™Block (Y1010), Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), My Acrylix™Stamp Scrubber (Z1782), My Acrylix™Spritz Cleaner (1778), Bonding Memories™Glue (1512), Sponge (Z697), Liquid Glass (Z679), and Cello Bags (qty. 25) (W1152)

Close to My Heart Artbooking Layout with Ariana and Happy Place

Happy Washi Wednesday! 

I have a two-page scrapbook layout for you today that I have been working on for a few days.  I used the Ariana Paper Packet and the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge available exclusively from Close to My Heart.  This cartridge is truly a scrapper's dream come true!

I really adore this overlay.  I cut it at 11 inches so it would fit perfectly on my 12x12 layout.  I just trimmed it down the middle to use it on both sides of the layout.  You can find MANY ideas like this to use on my Artbooking Made Easy Gallery on my website.

I just adore this little cluster in the top corner.  I used several elements here including the Gold Polka- Dot Washi Tape, Ariana Assortment, Sparkle Chevron Shapes, Sparkles Assortment Brown and Tan, Ariana Complements.

Here, as well as up in the cluster, I featured the March 2014 Stamp of the Month, Happy Place!  These little Russian Nesting Dolls are so cute!  You can get it for regular price OR for just $5 with a $50 purchase on my website in March only.  I used my retiring Alcohol Ink Markers to add a splash of complementary colors.  If you like these markers, I want you to know that they are only around for a limited time.

Another cluster of elements rounds out the second page.  I love using the negative cuts from the Artbooking overlays.  These were especially perfect for me since they seem to resemble a "sparkle" of light!  ;)  I altered the "giggles & grins" title by replacing the ampersand with one from the Ariana Complements.  The two photo frames are popped up with our 3D foam tape. 

Here is your washi tip for this Washi Wednesday!  I used some to hold my pis in place as I prepped them for putting on my layout...I used a really bright tape so you could see it well.  ;)

I am linking up my layout today with the Heart 2 Heart March Scrapbooking Challenge! And, before I forget why I started this one with the three Russian Nesting Dolls to begin with, I am linking up to the H2H March Challenge, Triple Play!

Close to My Heart Flip Stand Album Project Reveal!

Hi everyone!  I am still on a HUGE high after the release of the brand new Spring and Summer Idea Book, and boy, do I have a LOT of projects in store to share with you!

The first reveal I have is a page from a fantastic product that I had not had an opportunity to use yet.  This project is serving two purposes for me: 1.)  I am using the random pictures that I LOVE, but have fallen out of my timeline of pics for some reason or another, and 2.)  I am using the Designed Decor Flip Stand Album as a business tool, making the pages out of the new papers and embellishments to use as a display at my workshops and gatherings!

This is my favorite page so far, and one that I created with a little wallet-size pic of my niece, Abbie, using the fantastic sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #121 this week!

Let's take a peek at some of the details...
This is my favorite frame in the Dimensional Elements Framework Pack.  It is one of three chipboard shape packs that are included with the Cricut Artbooking Collection.  I left it white and trimmed out my niece's darling little face with the silver shimmer trim because, let's face it, I LOVE IT!!!

I actually stumbled on a brand new use for my washi tape while attaching the picture to the fame...I used the Honey Triangles so you could see it really well...

This beautiful little cluster in the corner is a combination of embellishments.  I trimmed out the leaves from the beautiful floral print from my Ariana Paper Packet.  That gorgeous shade of grey in the background is one of the shades of CS exclusively included with the packet and is already a favorite of mine.  I sprinkled some sparkles from the Black and Grey Sparkles Assortment for just the right amount of bling.  The flower is from the Ariana Complements, and the dainty little bow is from the Ariana Assortment.  Thanks to Shelly for the help in my decision-making here!  :)  Do you ever use your "phone-a-friend" lifeline when crafting for a second opinion?

This entire project is becoming a fast favorite!  I am enjoying making a smaller 6 x 5.5 inch page for a change.  It is inherently limiting in what you can add because of the smaller size, but also less of a time commitment.  I really encourage you to check out the Close to My Heart Designed Decor Flip Stand Album and give it a try!  I will be posting more pages soon, so stay tuned!  Follow me on FB to always get the latest news and updates.  :)

Don't forget about this month's specials, including one that is JUST from ME!  

Embossing is Boss!

Wild about Love