I Heart Thin Cuts (and Florida)

Soooooo with the amazing 25% off sale on Close to My Heart's Thin Cuts, let me show you some of my creations with them for inspiration.

I made this card for a customer with a specific sentiment need...and I'm pretty sure it worked out perfectly.  I used the Fundamentals Whimsy papers, Florida My Acrylix (did you know we have ALL 50 states?) and the Hearts Thin Cuts (on SALE now!) for this one, as well as a cut from the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge. 

I added this little flag from the Hello Lovely Complements and some Dreamin' Big Sequins.

Sometimes the perfect sentiment is from a completely random stamp set...this one is now retired.

Be sure to pick up any of our amazing CTMH Thin Cuts (even the sets with stamps!) this month while the sale is on!  When they are gone, they are GONE and will not be put on back order, so don't hesitate.  ;)

Only in March!

One Pumpkin, Two Ways!

I haven't had too much time to get crafty lately, but I did manage to sneak in some playtime with the Close to My Heart Blessed Beyond Measure September Stamp of the Month.

Here are two ways to make a rich golden pumpkin for your autumn crafts!

The first way is to cut the shapes out using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge from Close to My Heart that coordinates with the stamp set.  I cut the two shapes in Goldrush and White Daisy.  Then I used Fern and Goldrush inks to add a bit of color with my daubers.

The second way is to stamp the pumpking image using some "rock and roll!"  This time I stamped the entire pumpkin in NEW Tangerine ink...then rolled the outside edges in Goldrush.  Finally, I went back to use the dauber to add a bit more layers of ink.  I adore how easy this is to do!

Just a few more days to grab this beautiful autumn-themed My Acrylix Stamp of the Month in September!

Artbooking Overlays ARE for Cards!

I am soooo glad I got to play more with these overlays from the Close to My Heart Artbooking lately.  I just LOVE wood grain patterns, so THIS one was tops on my list to try.  I paired it up with my Timberline Paper Packet and the super-cute Camper Crazy My Acrylix stamp set and ended up with a fantastically fun card!

Isn't this the cutest sentiment?  I backed it with Kraft CS to keep the palette earthy.  I cut the overlay on Chocolate CS and stamped the sentiment in the matching Chocolate Ink.  I LOVE the fact that Close to My Heart has an entire line of matching CS and inks! 

I created a fun scene on the inside for some added interest.  Check out this adorable set:

I only used two colors of ink, but with first and second degree stamping, was able to achieve the look of four!  :)

Have a wonderful weekend, my peeps!  Anyone going camping?  I'm not, but I WILL be traveling in style in one of these babies out to a family reunion!  :)  See you Monday--a VERY special day!  ;)

BREAKING NEWS!

The retired list has been published over on my Close to My Heart website!  Head on over to see what won't be back in the new Idea Book (soon-to-be-called Annual Inspirations.)    Here's a little preview:  the colors Buttercup, Blush, Sky, Creme Brulee, and Twilight are not coming back!  Go see the whole list on my website HERE!  These items are only available until they sell out, so don't wait!

A Photo Booth Fit for a Graduate

Welcome back!  I really mean it!  I have finally started to receive email notifications from my blog again!  If you thought I haven't been posting for a while, you might be surprised to look back a few weeks to see that indeed I have been!  The service that sends out email notifications stopped functioning a while back, and, well, I just didn't have time to deal with it because my daughter was graduating.  I was a LITTLE bit busy making this :

AND these...

Don't get me wrong, I WANTED to figure it out, but I don't know the little elf who delivers my mail very well, so there was no way I was going to be able to convince him.  ;)   I had SUCH a fun time making this photo booth for Kaylee and her friends to use at her graduation party.  They really did have a fun time with it, too!

It was not very expensive to make either!  I needed foam board, crepe paper, cardstock, adhesive, ribbon, removable wall hooks,  balloons, Liquid Glass, and long sucker sticks.

The lettering is from the Cricut Artiste Collection.  The fun camera and film strip cuts are found on Artbooking as well as the banner shape.  Some of the fun props are found on other cartridges like Paper Doll Dress Up and Create a Friend.

I figured everyone would have their own camera these days, so no need to supply one!  ;)

I used the Close to My Heart Chalkboard Vinyl to cut a fun reusable word bubble from Artiste...

Make sure you plan ahead for this type of a project!  I started two weeks ahead of time to be sure to get it all ready in time.  :)  Visit my Pinterest board for this and other great graduation party ideas!

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!  :)

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!

Damask Divas Lollydoodle Blog Hop!

Time for another fantastic display of artwork from the Damask Divas!  Are you ready to see some amazing creations with the new Lollydoodle Paper Packet?

If you came over from Stephanie's Blog, then you are on the right path!  If not, be sure to check out the entire lineup over at the Damask Divas Blog.  Remember, if you are here before March 1st be patient as some of the links might be under construction.  Thanks!

I have been gradually adding to my Designed Decor Flip Stand Album as I try to incorporate each new paper packet.  Today, I am sharing my Lollydoodle page with you!  This is a great tool to showcase just a fun pic or two at a time.  The pages I am making for mine are 6 x 5.5 inches, and I am really loving the small format for some of my favorite family pictures that just don't "go" anywhere else.  :)

See that cute little squiggly frame around my cool-shaded girlie?  I cut it from the Artbooking Cartridge with a simple press of the button on my Cricut Expression 2.  You can find the cut on page 87 of the handbook by the Photo Mat 1 key.

I used a Limited Edition Hostess Reward My Acrylix stamp set that you can ONLY get when you host a gathering or join my Rewards Club called Enjoy the Little Things for the stamping on my layout.  Check out this GREAT little building set...

I used it to stamp the little pocket sentiment here and add a bouquet of flowers adorned with Flamingo Dots.  I rolled two 3D flowers from the Artiste Cartridge to add to the floral mix.  A couple of leaves from the Lollydoodle Compliments, some more leaves cut from our Green Glitter Paper, and some Slate Striped Twist Ties round out the cluster of embellishments.

These chevrons were super-easy to stamp on their own by just inking up that part of the clear acrylic stamp.  The little owl is also found on the Lollydoodle Compliments.  Silver Shimmer Trim, please!  ;)

I love to mix it up with all the patterns from Lollydoodle, so wanted to fit as many into my layout as I was able.  I even squeezed in a zip strip!  :)  The Pink Glitter Paper looks like it was MADE to go along with this color scheme, and how could I resist adding a bit more silver shimmer trim?

Thanks so much for stopping in to see me on our hop today!

Now you are on your way to to Lilian's Blog to see what amazing creation she whipped up!  Come back any time!  :)