Makeover Monday!

I hope my peeps from the USA had a fabulous 4th over the weekend!

I have been a bit occupied the past few days with a family trip, a luxury which I quickly learned to cherish after my oldest left for her first year of college.  These days are going by fast while she is home, and I want to enjoy each little chance our family has to hang out together.  Here is a peek at us all rocking out to old Disney movie soundtracks in the van on the way home from TN...

It was GREAT!!!

Alright, back to a layout that I showed you a sneak bit of in May...because I finished it!  :)

That little heart splatter stamp is found on the Documenting Memories My Acrylix.

I used a layout in the last Close to My Heart Idea Book as the inspiration for my makeover...

You might have noticed this picture on the CTMH website in the Specialty Papers category, too!

I will hit some of the product highlights for you...

I used the Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment for the bold background of the layout.  Enamel Dots, Sequins, and some stitching using the Stitch Guide and Piercing Tool round out this cluster.

I cut the letters from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge on my Explore from Lagoon, Topiary, White Daisy, Smoothie, and Honey CS.

The next two pics show all the different washi tapes I was able to coordinate into the layout...

I hope you use your copy of the Close to My Heart Idea Book to transform the amazing ideas into YOUR creations too!  :)

Some of these products I used are retiring in August and running out of stock quickly if you are interested in a makeover of your own!  You can check them out using the links up above.

If you also happen to fill your cart with just $25 in stamps, remember to add a FREE Stamp of the Month OR a $5 Hostess Only My Acrylix stamp set this month!  :)

Makeover Monday for Operation Write Home

It might be Monday, but we GOT this you guys!  :)

Today is a special Monday because it is MAKEOVER Monday!  To day I will show you a card re-do for my Operation Write Home Card Workshop coming up on July 18th and 19th.

Glitter is NOT allowed on any of the cards I donate to OWH.  It is just plain DANGEROUS for our servicemen and women to get anywhere near any flaked-off glitter since they can possibly be seen through night vision goggles.  At the end of my post I will link you to the LONG explanation for this rule...but trust me, it is important.  This means some serious re-thinking of all my instincts when making cards!  I reworked this card from the Lollydoodle Cardmaking Workshop on the Go in order to eliminate the shimmer trim--GASP!  Anything for the men and women who protect my freedom!

Now, I am not sure about sequins, so I opted to forgo those as well...

These Aqua and Flamingo Dots are the PERFECT substitute for the sequins!  

How about that!?  I am rather fond of the non-glittery version myself.  I think this sentiment will be JUST the thing someone is looking to send a loved one back home.  :)

I will have a tab up soon for my OWH Card Workshop! 

See how to get it for just $5 HERE!

NOW!  Here is that link over to Operation Write Home so you can read up on the NO GLITTER rule, and actually watch a pretty darn funny video by Sandy Allnock!  :)

The Pure Joy of Washi Wednesday!

Happy Washi Wednesday!

Today, I actually have an awesome video that shows one of my favorite layouts in the Spring and Summer 2014 Close to My Heart Idea Book.  Remember, you can absolutely USE your idea books to make your favorite projects you see in them!  Close to My Heart not only has a YouTube Channel, but they also list the recipes for the gorgeous projects you see in the pages of the book.  Just click HERE to go to my website page that displays the two current Idea Books and scroll down to find the "Recipe" clicky right underneath the photo of the Idea Book.  If you need any help finding these, please let me know.  :)

Without further adieu...here is that gorgeous layout!

If you are as eager to replicate this layout as I am, here are the products you will want to pick up from my Close to My Heart online shopping website, or your own Close to My Heart consultant if you already have one! 

Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment Z1939
Stitch Guide Z1852
Foam Mat Z1859
Piercing Tool Kit Z1114 (Tip:  I just use the smaller foam mat in this kit instead of the large one listed above.)
Smoothie Striped Washi Tape Z1923
Ruby Chevron Washi Tape Z1933
Honey Triangles Washi Tape Z1931
Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape Z1930
Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape Z1920
Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape Z1850
Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape Z1817 or Silver Geometric Washi Tape Z1932
Teal Shimmer Trim Z1918
Aqua Dots Z1853
Flamingo Dots Z1934
The letters in the title are cut using the Artiste Cricut Collection with a Cricut Machine
White Daisy, Smoothie, Honey, Goldrush, and Lagoon Cardstock
White embroidery floss or other threading material

If you happen to stock up on these supplies in March, you will qualify for more than one entry in my Mystery Hostess Drawing!!!  This drawing is my own personal giveaway this month in celebration of my second year with Close to My Heart!  :)

AND you will be able to order the Stamp of the Month for JUST $5!!!

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!  :)

A Lollydoodle Valentine

It is official.  I {heart} Lollydoodle!!! 

The brand new Lollydoodle Paper Packet from Close to My Heart is just too darling for words.  I used it for this CAS card for the Addicted to CAS Challenge ending in a few days.  I'm also linking up with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog for their have a heart theme.  :)

You know what else I am loving lately?  KRAFT CS! 

Tell me this heart isn't the BEST new embellishment?  These White Marquee Enamel Shapes are WONDERFUL!  I love to place them on a piece of patterned paper or washi and cut them out to make an all new embellishment!   I used one of the patterns in Lollydoodle for this one.  Then I placed it over the heart in the Dotted Love My Acrylix stamp.  LOVE!

What's that pink sparkle coming from behind the Kraft CS sentiment???  NEW Pink Glitter Paper, BABY!  I love this stuff.  Swoon. 

I used a zip strip from one of the Lollydoodle patterns as one of the flags.  I always find awesome uses for this thin strip of paper that comes on every pattern paper in the Close to My Heart packets. 

A few Flamingo Enamel Dots round out this CAS card nicely...pun intended!  ;)

Hope you like my take on the codeword this week, and I hope you find some inspiration for your own creations in my card!  You can find the products I used in the links above.

When you visit my website, don't forget to check out the amazing February Specials!

Mojo Monday 331 with Ivy Lane

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog posts with a quick challenge entry!  This one does double-duty today.  I recently received some new Paper Smooches stamps and dies, and when I saw the sketch for Mojo Monday 331, I knew EXACTLY what to do with them!  :)

I have had my eye on several different brands of jar stamps/dies, but the Paper Smooches version, Crystal Clear, finally won me over.  I thought this sketch was certainly begging for it--don't you?

I used the patterns in the Ivy Lane Paper Packet for bit of feminine flair on this card with the recipient in mind.  I created a jar full of hugs by adding a label shape from my leftover Cricut cuts--this one is found on the Cricut Artiste Cartridge exclusively from your friendly CTMH consultant, like ME!  ;)  The hand-drawn boarder I added matches the adorable stamped tag that I tied onto the jar with the brand new CTMH Baker's Twine Neutral Metallic Assortment.  I love the added bit of silver in there to go with the Silver Geometric Washi Tape I used to covered the jar lid.

The hugs sentiment on the jar label is from the Paper Smooches We Connect acrylic set.  I found that tiny heart on another new PS stamp set of mine, Scripty Sayings.  It was just the perfect addition to the tag since it complemented my lopsided hearts so well!  :)

Now, lets talk about these hearts.  The "lop" heart image is found on the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge that is also exclusively available from Close to My Heart.  ;)  I used three different sizes cut on REAL dial size--2, 1.5, and 1 inch, then inked all the patterned papers with Hollyhock ink on the edges to give it some separation. 

Now, I know this is not going to sound like me, but I wanted to keep the sparkle on this one to a minimum due to the circumstances behind the card.  The Flamingo Dots and retired Licorice Opaques were the perfect embellishments to add in this case.

Finally, I needed an element for that diagonal on the sketch.  I really wanted to draw in the grey color a bit more, so I grabbed my trusty Slate Striped Twist Ties!  I thought a little twisty embellishment would look nice in the heart cluster as well.

I am linking up with Mojo Monday as well as the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog for Anything Goes!  

Thanks for letting me sneak in another post today!  :)

Tag (You're It!) Tuesday Meets new Close to My Heart Products!

I am BURSTING to show you this tag I made with some of the new Close to My Heart products!  It features the Lollydoodle Paper Packet as the background of the tag and the Kraft CS for the scalloped rectangle.  I used the Scallop Border Punch to easily give it the edge.  The base for my tag is one of the Dimensional Elements Tags that coordinate with the cuts on the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.

I have no idea where to begin here!  I used a variety of new products for this tag because I was so excited to try them ALL!  ;)  The tie at the top of my tag is made with the NEW Skylark Textiles.  I seriously love the patterns and colors they chose for these!  I also added a button and hemp twine from the Mini Medley Accents Wooden Collection. 

The cluster at the bottom of the tag features a sentiment from Big Hug, one of my favorite new My Acrylix sets.  I added a sprinkle of Flamingo Enamel Dots, Lagoon Zipper Lace, and a cute badge button from the Lollydoodle Assortment.

THIS is one of my favorite new embellishments--the White Marquee Enamel Shapes!  I stuck the self-adhesive heart to some of the NEW Smoothie Striped Washi Tape that was I had taped to White Daisy CS and just trimmed it out for a cute 3D embellishment!  SO easy and SO many possibilities to use these great additions!

Do you recognize the little "leaf" on my tag?  It is actually a corner that I cut off one of the Irresistibles Frames and inked up with Pear Exclusive Ink.  I always love to find new uses for familiar products!  :)

Here is a better look at those button badges in the Lollydoodle Assortment...I adore how they are diamond cut instead of smooth on top!

Lollydoodle Assortment

Thanks for letting me showcase a few of the new products in the NEW Close to My Heart Spring and Summer Idea Book!  I am linking this project up with the LOVE challenge over at Heart 2 Heart Challenges in February because I LOVE Lollydoodle!!!  ;)

Don't forget!  There are two amazing specials this month!  One of them is JUST from ME!  :)

 

You can shop now on my website right HERE or contact me to place your order.  :)