You're the Best Masculine Birthday Card!

One of the reasons for my case of the May Crazies is a flurry of birthdays.  My brother-in-law is a self-employed home improvement guru, so I knew JUST what I was going to do for his card when I found the You're the Best My Acrylix stamp set from Close to My Heart.

These tool images are PERFECT for a random stamped background!  I used Chocolate Exclusive Ink on Kraft for this one...

These hinges are a long retired CTMH product that I found in my stash.  I love how they angled themselves when I added some baker's twine across the back! 

The wood grain pattern in the Timberline Paper Packet was an instant favorite.  I used the "happy" and "day" from a sentiment in You're the Best to fashion a birthday sentiment with the amazing Framework Alphabet. 

What elements do YOU like to include in a masculine card?

Close to My Heart Designed Decor Display Tray with Ivy Lane

*A Side Note*  Are any of you who subscribe via email getting notifications from my blog?  Would you please let me know.  Thanks.  I think there is a glitch with Blogger.  OK, on with today's post! 

I have been putting this off for a bit now, but only delaying the inevitable.  I can't change the date of graduation just by not posting my project pics, lol.  Sigh.

My Display Tray turned out really different than I originally intended, but I love that it did!  Sometimes you just have to be flexible with a project, even if you think you have it all planned out.  I thought I would put one picture for each year of school since there were 12 slots.  I did not take into account that fact that my daughter would nix some of those pics, lol!  I did allow her to have a say in the final product, including the Ivy Lane theme, and here it is!  (Lots of pics...sorry!)

Our Designed Decor Display Tray is SO versatile for cherishing and documenting your precious memories.  I used both retired and current products to create each of the different boxes.  This one features the Ivy Lane Complements and a flower from the retired Frosted Assortment.  I love when older products combine well with new ones!

A girl needs glitter!  Well, this girl does anyway...so I was sure to use the Pink Glitter Paper to back this picture along with the retired Glamour Glitter Alphabet.  The pic is popped up with our foam tape which is hard to see with all that sparkle!  ;)

I adore this little tag I created with one of the Complements stickers and retired Cherish the Day My Acrylix stamp set.  I used some retired Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon and Bitty Sparkles to glam this one up...

Banners are just beautiful ways to display a name, and this one turned out JUST right.  The flowers are from the retired Bitty Buds Assortment...I know, I know, I wish they were still available too!  The pennants are cut with the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  There is still time to get this amazing staple Cricut Cartridge FREE!  Click HERE for all the details...

It ended up being SUPER-easy to add the banner to the Tray with these clothes pins that I attached using my trusty, must-have-on-hand-at-all-times, Liquid Glass...

The overall feel of this frame is very elegant, so I used flowers from the Ivy Lane Assortment and the retired Frosted Assortment, AND was sure to add a very romantic Sparkles Flourish to this box...

Vellum, anyone?  One of my new favorite things is vellum!  I stamped this image from School Years with White Daisy Pigment Ink and zapped it with a heating tool to dry.  You always have  to be careful about placing adhesives on your vellum because it will show through.  One of my favorite methods for dealing with this is embellishing right over it!  I used the Rosewood Mini-Medley A here to do just that.  This picture was a true 4 x 6 which fit perfectly when chopped right down the middle due to the pose. 

And now my favorite Embellishment!  Ever since I got my hands on these White Marquee Enamel Shapes, I have loved the look of backing them with patterned papers.  I did that here to replace the "O" in this clever play on the word, "BEAUTIFUL" that I stamped with the Framework Alphabet.  My daughter is by no means afraid to be herself, and I am very grateful for that blessing.  This sums her up in one word perfectly.  

There you go!  This has been my ultimate labor of love project!  I just need you all to help me out with ONE little detail!  I cannot for the life of me decide what to do about the middle two boxes behind the banner.  Should I leave it black or add these green papers?  I don't like being so indecisive, and I really love it both ways, but what do YOU guys think!?  Please, please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts!   :)  I will chose a winner at random from all the comments to send a little thank you gift to at the end of the week, ok?  Ready, set, go! 

ALSO!  Speaking of vellum...I wanted to show you a sneak peak of something you will see on tomorrow's Damask Divas Blog Hop project!  I have been waiting forever to share!  Are you as excited as I am?  :)

AND last but not least at all, today is THE LAST day to purchase the new consultant kit and receive your choice of Cricut Collection absolutely FREE!  No strings attached, I promise!  :)

Click HERE to see more or sign up for the kit! 

AND it is the LAST DAY to get your hands on the AWESOME stamp of the month on my website!

Can you handle one more?  AND it is the FINAL day to make any purchase and be entered to win the Mother's Day My Acrylix!!!  SHOP HERE on my website today for these deals!

Family Love Notes Dry Erase Board (and a Sneak Peek!)

Hi everyone!  I made a second version of my Family Love Notes Board that I wanted to share with you.  This was a gift for a friend, and I made it to coordinate with her kitchen colors which I LOVE! 

I used the retired woodgrain from the Dakota paper packet for the background of this one.   Now, now, don't cry!  GUESS WHAT!?!?  There will soon be a new woodgrain paper you can get your hands on!  ;)  There is a brand new Paper Packet in the Spring and Summer Idea Book called...wait for it...

Timberline!  It is totally as great as it sounds...take a peek!

Alright, moving along!  Well, come on....come ON!  You can go back and drool over it later!  ;)

I used the Framework Alphabet and the Keyboard Uppercase Alphabet, which I know I might have mentioned are my two FAVORITE alphabets!  I matted each area with Olive CS and used the same color to stamp their names on the corner of each one.  Hmmmm, or was it New England Ivy???  Ah, the hazards of blogging projects that you no longer have in your possession!  ;)

So, I have been asked to get this item into my Etsy shop ASAP, so I am working on it!   Be patient!  ;)

Thanks so much for popping in to see!  Who are YOU dancing for today? 

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!  :)

Trim the Tree Once More in Peace

What a whirlwind of a week!  I love when I have a line-up of cards to show you, but it sure takes a lot to get them all blogged, lol.  I can never get enough of all your blog loving, though, so here we go again!

I really hope you haven't quite had enough of this design, but I promise it is this last one I have to show you!  (For now.)  ;)  I took a third type of Christmas tree stamp, from the Trim the Tree My Acrylix, along with the Framework Alphabet set to make this version.  THIS one was pretty much all about the bling!

My gold embossing went awry somehow for the star.  I suspect the embossing powder may have aged a bit, but maybe I just didn't get it covered well enough either...so I just bejeweled it with the star from Close to My Heart's new Sparkle Holiday Shapes!  LOVE these!

The tree is stamped in Pear Exclusive Ink (dye) and blinged up with miscellaneous colored rhinestones that I received from a recent crop I attended AND another shape from the Sparkle Holiday Shapes.  I love this tree because it totally BEGS for BLING!  ;)

What do you think?  Which one is YOUR favorite tree I have used in this design so far?  Here is a quick re-cap!  :)

Yep, the last two are the same tree, lol...you caught me!  ;) 

Two Words: One Layer (of Peace)

I don't think there have ever been two words that haunted me more than these two, lol.  What does it MEAN???  I absolutely love to challenge myself to go CAS (clean and simple) whenever I can.  Not only does this make creating quick(er), but it also is supposed to be easier, lol.  Huh?

Yep--One Layer is the code word(s) over at Addicted to CAS right now.  How easy terrifying is that?!  Well, let me show you!  :)

This is the third version of this particular card design that I have made, but this time I used a different tree.  You can take a peek at my first version HERE.   I still LOVE that Framework Alphabet from Close to My Heart in all its versatility!  The tree image is found on a retired Christmas My Acrylix called Christmas Love.  I stamped all the images directly onto the card base for a change, and then I colored in the star with my Gelly Roll Stardust Glitter pen.  *swoon*

SO, then is that ALL I can add to this little beauty?  I dutifully took my pics for the challenge and brought it back to my workspace.  I really added JUST a couple of details...but is it still CAS???

I really, really, really am loving this NEW washi tape that comes in the Close to My Heart Party Washi tape 3-pack.  Isn't it the BEST thing next to sparkle?  ;)  Speaking of sparkle, I added those too!  Just a few red ones on the Christmas tree.  So is it still CAS?

I hope the girls over at the challenge can help me out with this one...because I am just not sure!  What do you think, ladies?   :)

Linking this up with the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge!  :)

Alright, so now, I want to introduce you to the NEW Stamp of the Month!  It is my absolute favorite so far...meet, Illuminate!  Yours for only $5 with a $50 purchase at mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com!

Blue Christmas for Muse Challenge

Happy Halloween!  And now, let's jump to Christmas!  ;)

I am BACK in the challenge saddle!  I had a chance to goof around a bit after doing what I HAD to do today, and it was quite the cram session!  All the cards I made have a similar theme, but they have completely different FEEL.

The first one is for the current Muse Challenge.  The Muse card is by Janet Ribet...

Muse Card by Janet Ribet

I just love the cool winter color scheme she went with for her card.  Also, I happen to HAVE that embossing folder!  A plan began to evolve in my head, so I tried to get it onto paper just as fast!

You might recognize this design from an earlier Christmas card I made with these same Close to My Heart stamps, Tree Delights and Framework Alphabet.  I stamped them here in Crystal Blue ink before using my embossing folder over the image.

At the bottom of the card, I tore pieces of White Daisy CS and layered them into a snowy landscape.  I actually had a wonderful spool of trim to use along the bottom as in the Muse card as well. 

This star is from the Sparkle Holiday Shapes, a NEW item in our Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide!  I adore these sparkly outlines!  I noticed that the Muse card also uses some iridescent glitter, so I added some Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel to the stars on the tree.  A few Sparkles, and the tree was done!

I can't wait to show you my other two cards like this...the same, but different!  ;)

Damask Divas Sparkle and Shine Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog for the shiniest hop this year!  ;)  If you arrived from Jamie's Blog, then you are on the right path.  If not, just check out the Damask Divas Blog for the entire line up!  :)

I finally had a chance to play with my new paper, and love how it looks with this simple card design!  I have had this one brewing in my mind for a while, using the tree as the letter 'A' in PEACE.  I had no idea it would work so perfectly with the Tree Delights My Acrylix and the Framework Alphabet!

Now, you sure can't tell in the first picture, but take a look at this one close up!

The lettering is stamped in Juniper Ink, while the tree was stamped with Versamark and sprinkled with Close to My Heart's Silver Embossing Powder.  The heating tool just shines it right up to match the silver color in the new Sparkle and Shine patterned papers!   I am really loving the softer look of the Juniper rather than the more traditional green for Christmas papers.

I trimmed the edge of the White Daisy card front with the Scallop Border Punch for a different look.  Hope you are inspired to try something new with my card, but now you are off to Tammy's Blog for another amazing paper creation!  Have a fantastic time on the hop!

Remember, if you get lost, jut pop on over to the Damask Divas Blog for the entire line-up!  :)

Don't forget to pick up the Stamp of the Month, Scandinavian Wishes before October ends!  :)

What's Black and White and Stamped All Over?

My latest card!!!  Hee, hee! 

I was so inspired by THIS amazing card by fellow consultant Wendy Coffman, that I just had to get my butt moving and make one similar, but with a whole new spin on the sentiment! 

I have always been intrigued by the way the letters H and I fall next to each other in the alphabet...

I am linking this version of my card up with the My Creative Time Black and White Challenge.

The sentiment is ABSOLUTELY the focus of this card.  I stamped it using the Close to My Heart Framework Alphabet My Acrylix set in White Daisy Pigment Ink on Black CS.  I adore this new alphabet that mimics the chalkboard look perfectly.  It also coordinates with our new M size stamps as well.  The polka-dot trim at the top and bottom is made from a zip strip in the For Always Paper Packet.  Then, whammo, this sparkly glitter button from the Mini Medley Accents Black Collection catches your eye!  

To add some interest inside, I stamped the main sentiment again in black for the opposite effect...

Now to re-focus on that sparkly "HI" sentitment.  Did you think we finally had white glitter paper from CTMH?  NOPE!  Not yet anyway, lol.  I tried to choose between chalking it in and filling it with glitter, and settled for BOTH!  I used my White Chalk Marker to color in my Silver Glitter Paper!  :)  I wanted to stay true to the black and white challenge, so this option was both innovative, sparkly, AND allowed!  ;)

FYI--it is hard to take a pic of yourself coloring!  ;)

OK, so just for fun, I used some leftover cuts and my Peachy Keen faces to transform my card into a FANTASTIC welcome card to give my daughter's teacher when we visit her classroom tomorrow night.  What do you think?

I think it will be a hit!  :)  THIS version of my card is linking up with the the Heart 2 Heart Sentimant-ally Yours Challenge for August.  It was my DT's week off, but I could not resist playing along!