Tag (You're It!) Tuesday

Hi there!  Tis the season for giving--so the season for tag-making too!

I have several made up for sale this year using the gift tag pocket die from MCT.  Take a peek!

I used several retired Close to My Heart embellishments for these...

My favorite button right now is this little guy from the Mini Medley Accents Ruby Collection... 

This next set has a sophisticated feel...

I really love the variety of embellishments in the Yuletide Carol Assortment...

Ant the gold sequins are a MUST for some bling.  ;)

No for some fun and festive tags with some other retired embellies and Ruby pieces...

Some of my favorite embellishments are on sale in the While Supplies Last Section of my website, like the white star below found in the White Marquee Enamel Shapes!

 I just love making tags, and can't wait to make more!  :)

Tag (You're It!) Tuesday!

WHAT a GREAT day crafting yesterday!  I am so thankful for the "extra" day added to the weekend.  It came JUST in the nick of time, too, as I am busy getting prepped and stocked for a craft bazaar at my church later this month.  :)

Today I wanted to share some of the tags I put together.  These tags are special--they are made to hold a gift card in a little pocket.  The dies are from My Creative Time, and are some of my all-time faves.  I used some old 6x6 double sided paper packets that I have in my stash.  I was able to use several of my new Close to My Heart embellishments to decorate them.  Have a look!

These accents are from the Yuletide Carol Complements (which are some really thick stickers.)  I stuck the holly and ivy to CS and trimmed it out so I could pop it up with some foam squares.

I really have grown fond of the Assortment Packs in the current Annual Inspirations book.  They have really listened to our customers who want flatter pages with less bulk.  This wooden accent is one example...

Don't forget to pick up some Gold Shimmer Trim!  Gotta love glitter without the mess!

I was also able to use some of the retired embellishments that I still have...LOVE the cross-coordinating bits and pieces!  :)

The leaves are another die from MCT, and the other Black and grey pieces used to be part of the Base and Bling line from Close to My Heart...

Finally, this sparkling glitter button is found in the Ruby Mini Medley...

Speaking of tags, make sure you check out the Stamp of the Month for October if you plan on making some Christmas tags of your own!  You can even snag some FREE RIBBON for your tags with a $50 purchase this month!  Be sure to add it to your cart when prompted.  ;)

That's it for today...see you back here later this week.

Cricut Artbooking Layout for the Seeing Red Challenge

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!

I took some time out from packing for a weekend crop today (lol, I leave tomorrow) to make this layout that popped into my head.  Listen, when a layout calls, I listen!  ;)

This one is for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, and as far as I can recall, it's my very first time playing along over there.

I used the Close to My Heart Artbooking Cartridge for all the Cricut cuts on my layout.  The CS is from Close to My Heart in White Daisy and Ruby, and the wonderful woodgrain pattern paper is from the brand new Timberline Paper Packet.

I adore the over lay key on this cartridge!  I used it to cut the conjoined hearts background.  The heart banner and LOVE photo mat are all on this same key (I will post the page up soon!)  I used red shimmer trim between two cuts of the banner to accent the hearts.

This photo mat is cut at 6.25 real dial size to fit my picture and then layered with a piece of CS that I trimmed one edge of with my Scallop Border Punch.  I added the Keyboard Kraft Alphabet to make a cute title.

This cluster took a lot out of me, lol!  I played around a bit until it struck me, so I love it even more!  I used the Mini Medley Accents Ruby Collection, Marquee Enamel Shapes, Red Shimmer Trim, and Midtown Cork Shapes.

This was a fun layout to put together!  The pictures show us at the zoo on a COLD day for a school event.  The kids loved hanging out with their friends, and this picture of them snuggled up warm in the kangaroo's pouch was an awesome photo op!  ;)

I am also linking this up with Heart 2 Heart's February Scrapbooking Challenge to show a cuddly cozy moment.  I did it!!!  :)

Now I am off for the weekend, so see you soon!  Take a peek at these February specials from my website!  

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.

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. 

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!

A Freshly Made Sketch for Christmas!

I love the new sketch for this week on Freshly Made Sketches...it is by fellow Close to My Heart Consultant Allisa Chilton!  :)  I am a huge fan of Allisa's, and adore the clean lines in her cards.  I especially love her knack for matting...which this great sketch is all about!  :)

What a great opportunity to get to work on some Christmas cards!  I made my 6 x 6 card base out of Black CS.  Then I matted my heart out with White Daisy, Ruby, and a paper from the For Always Paper Packet.  Since I haven't quite been able to get my hands on our Close to My Heart Sparkle and Shine papers due out soon (exciting!) I decided to leave the Christmas portion of my card to the Green Glitter Paper!  I just KNEW it would do the trick! 

I traced this ornament from a set of retired ornament chipboard shapes.  The hook connector is made with our Silver Glitter Paper.  The beautiful script word, JOY, is cut from our brand new Cricut Artbooking Cartridge onto White Daisy CS and attached with glue dots for strength on the glitter. 

I didn't stop there, though!  I also added a bit of shimmery metallic tinsel-laced twine and a poinsettia embellishment from the Mini Medley Accents Ruby collection. 

On the inside, I used the gorgeous silhouette of the nativity from Glory to God  and a beautiful sentiment to tie the JOY ornament to the rest of the card from Merry and Bright.

Now I am starting to get ahead of myself in the seasonal celebrations, so I better slow down!  Maybe I should just start my Christmas shopping instead?  ;)

Color Dare #52 Has a Date with Artbooking!

I am head over heels in love with this amazing new cartridge!  Artbooking is a scrapbooking girl's dream come true.  I made this layout in no time after simply choosing the colors to make each cut.  And to tell you the truth, I didn't even have to pick those because our Color My Heart Color Dare this week chose them for me!  ;)

The colors this week are Twilight, Olive, and Ruby.  Combine them with any neutrals your heart desires...I chose White Daisy, Black, and Whisper.

Any way you slice it, photographing layouts is a trick--so is editing red colors...so forgive any minor color mishaps here...other than that, isn't this amazing?!?  The overlays you can use to back your pages are truly inspiring!  I cut this one on Black CS for major WOW factor.

Artbooking makes it soooo easy to not only plan out, but also to cut your layout pieces!  I simply set the cut size to 11 inches (relative size) and cut each piece out in the right color CS.  Easy-peasy!   Here is the handbook page for the layout I chose...

For this cluster at the top, I backed the word bubble with CTMH's black glitter paper for some emphasis.  The heart stamp is on the Artbooking Sweet and Lovely My Acrylix set that comes exclusively with our Cricut Artbooking Collection.  You will notice I used this same stamp for the clever little leaves at the bottom of the layout!  ;)

More sneak peeks here as well--black sequins from the Mini-Medley Accents Black and a Ruby glitter button from the Mini-Medley Accents Ruby--both available August 1st on my website!

After seeing this in the Artbooking handbook on page 80, I knew this flower would be one of the first cuts I made!  Isn't it gorgeous how the two cuts intertwine?  LOVE!  More little embellies from the two Mini-Medleys I mentioned above as well!

The journal box is also a stamp on the same Artbooking set as the heart I used up above.

 

Honestly, I cannot believe I made an entire page with no patterned papers!!!  I suspect my Cardstock is going to get a workout in the days to come!  ;)

SO, now you know what time it is!  Time for you to get YOUR craft on and whip up your own creations using the CTMH colors Twilight, Olive, and Ruby (or similar) with your own neutral choices.  Use ONLY those colors with the neutrals and link up with us over at the Color Dare for your chance to win the coveted Color Dare Diamond badge for your blog!  :)

Check out the amazing creations on these other Design Team members blogs!

Sarah
Caroline
Lela

Don't forget to Pre-order your Cricut Artbooking Collection before the end of July!  Get FREE shipping from me and a FREE August Stamp of the Month, A Chocolate Affair!  :)  Click to Paypal button below to safely Pre-order the Artbooking Collection and I will put your order in first thing on August 1st!  :)