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!

Workshop Weekend Wrap-up With a Sneak Peek, of Course!

Happy Monday!!!  I shared this on my Facebook page yesterday, so wanted to show you what I look like today!  ;)  Baby, it's COLD outside!!!

I post all the time on my FB page, so get on over there and like it to get the latest news!  I heard there might be a giveaway in February...

I am just popping in today with a quick wrap-up of my weekend Scraptacular Memories Workshop and Open House. 

Friday night we created this gorgeous layout designed by my friend and fellow consultant, Shelly Nemitz...

Isn't she BRILLIANT!


Then, on Saturday I had my NEW Spring and Summer Idea Book Open House where my local peeps could come and grab their copy and play with some of the new products as well.  We made some of these cards...

Surprise!!!!  This last one is a total sneak peek of the new February Stamp of the Month called Wild About Love.   This one will be available starting February 1st and it coordinates with the cuts on the Cricut Artiste Collection!  Raise your hand if you HAVE to have it!  :)  ME!

Freshly Frosted Sketches #100 ;)

I have been loving the new challenges that I found lately, and realize there must be so many more out there!  Freshly Made Sketches is on their 100th challenge sketch already and I just found them, lol!

Here is my creation for their latest challenge that I made with the Close to My Heart Frosted Paper Packet!

This is the sweet sketch (which is also their first!)

I have seen many creations with this paper packet, most of them with a wintery theme since some of the patterns feature snowflakes.  I wanted to see if I could use it for something else.  I love the beautiful blues in this paper, Frosted Grey and Frosted Turquoise.

I used a brand new Fall stamp set called Happy Autumn to make this lovely flower.  I stamped each part using two colors--the lighter color on the entire image, and the darker color rolling ink only on the edges.  I really like the effect.  The stem is stamped in Sweet Leaf and then Olive, and the flower petals are inked in Blush followed by Hollyhock.  I used Close to My Heart's fantastic Micro-Tip Scissors to hand cut each one.  If you don't think you could ever pull this off, you are not alone!  I didn't think I possessed any scissor skills and had NO intentions of ever paper-piecing until I tried a pair of these!  I am a believer now!  :) 

The sentiment is from one of my favorite new Close to My Heart My Acrylix, Look to the Light.  It features several comforting bible verses that I will certainly get a lot of use from.  I stamped this beautiful image of Psalm 46:1 in Champagne Ink.

I decided to use the Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon without altering the color for a more clean, crisp feel.  I'm not sure if it shows really well, but the strip of Kraft CS behind it is embossed with the Quaterfoil Folder from the Paper Studio.  I added a strip of Bronze Shimmer Trim and Tan Glitter Paper to the bottom for some needed sparkle.  I am absolutely loving the new Scallop Border Punch, I have to tell you!  Now, I just have to add a little aside here about the CTMH Glitter Paper.  I have only purchased one pack of each color in the past year since it was introduced...and still have sooooo much left!  If you follow my blog, then you know how I like to add glitter, so believe me when I say this stuff goes a long way!  :)

 A little bit of bling from the Sparkles Assortment Brown and Tan to round out the sketch...

Thanks so much for popping in to see what I had to share today!  Click on any of the links to learn more about these super Close to My Heart products I used on my website!  :)

Color Dare #34 Kiss Me, I'm Irish! I am!

Yep, I am part Irish lass and proud of it!  That is why I cannot possibly keep from using this stamp for this week's Color My Heart Color Dare...even though it is from Verve!  The Color My Heart blog has a different Color Dare each week, and this week the colors are Olive, Sweet Leaf, and Goldrush.   I promised myself this year that I would not limit myself creatively to only one brand, even thought I love my Close to My Heart products so much.  The rest of my project is CTMH, except the frame that I already had laying around, and I really love the way the marriage turned out!  ;)
 

The neutrals I chose to go with this week's colors are Cocoa (Dark Chocolate) and Champagne with a tiny bit of Colonial White in the Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon that you see at the top.  Next to that ribbon, I stamped a strip of Sweat Leaf Cardstock with the screen background stamp from My Acrylix Stamp set D1477 Universal Backgrounds.  I stamped the beautiful sentiment in Cocoa Exclusive Ink onto Champagne Cardstock and matted it with Olive.

Each of these little  shamrocks were stamped onto Sweet Leaf Cardstock using the Olive Mini Pigment Ink and hand trimmed when dry.  They can be found on the retired Joyful Jar My Acrylix Stamp Set.  Make sure you give your pigment inks time to dry!  They sit on top of the paper instead of soaking in, so they take a bit of time.  

My background paper is one of the B&T Duos from the Florentine Paper Packet.  These leaves I stamped on the background are from a retired stamp CTMH set called Dragonfly & Friends.  I used a bit of the Bronze Glitter Glitz Gel and some Brown and Tan Sparkles to give it some interest and attract the eye.  :)

Now, just like every week, it's YOUR turn!  Make any kind of paper creation with your Sweet Leaf, Olive, and Goldrush colored supplies and link up to us over at Color My Heart!  We would love to see what you create!  :)

Damask Divas August Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog!  Today I am part of the Damask Divas August Blog Hop.  We are showcasing the fabulous new Paper pack, Avonlea from Close to My Heart.  If you came from Cydney's page, you are in the right place.  If you have jumped here and just discovered our blog hop, feel free to check the list at Damask Divas to find out where you are in the order.

I had stumbled upon an adorable little mini book project in one of my facebook groups recently, and decided to make one for the blog hop.  The embellishments that coordinate with Avonlea lend nicely to the overall effect.  Here is the video that tells how to make the simple 3 x 3 book with just one piece of paper.  Just click on the one that says "valentine mini book" in the lower left corner of the page.  Tim really makes it easy to duplicate, and then the rest is all up to your imagination!  Without further adieu, here is my take on the one sheet mini album:

This was a super-fun and easy project that looks sooooo beautiful and polished when completed.
I just HAD to use the new Shimmer Trim to adhere the binding of the book.  It is a self-adhesive ribbon that was very easy to work with.  I used the strip of paper off the Avonlea B&T Duos for the middle of the spine.  The glittery medalion is from the Slate Mini-Medley Accents, as well as the button in the center.  Also, the two small bling are from the Sparkles Assortment--round--black and grey.

I had been wanting to use the Vintage Type Alphabet and this was the perfect opportunity.  It really went well with the old style feel of the papers and colors.  I also added Milepost Shapes throughout the mini book and distressed them with Chocolate or Slate Ink.

This is the first pull-out from the two pockets I kept for my version of the book.  You can see the foundry clip and a pin from the new Slate Mini-Medley Accents.  I also used a bit of the AWESOME new Burlap Ribbon we have now!  I LOVED the effect with the pin!

These are another brand new and exciting product--the Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet.  I inked the letter U in Slate and left the ME in the original color to make it pop.

Another newbie!  Olive Baker's Twine from the Harvest Baker's Twine collection!  Also, the new Sparkles assortment--Round--brown and tan!

This page is one of my personal favorites in the book--love how all the floral came together.  The two metal pieces and flower on the right are from the New Antiqued Gold Mini-Medley Accents.  The one on the left is a Pewter Badge Button adhered to a piece from the Avonlea Canvas Compliments.

Now you can see the second pull out from pocket number two.
 

The final page...more accents from the Slate Mini-Medley.

What a great way to use those old school pictures that sit around after you pass them out to the relatives!  Or maybe the relatives will get lucky and get a beautiful little mini book to treasure their pictures in.  ;)

Thanks for stopping in and checking out the Damask Divas first EVER Blog Hop!

From here, you get to visit Crissy Worthen!  Have a great time discovering all the great ways you can use this beautiful Avonlea Paper!  If you get lost, just pop on over to Damask Divas Blog for directions.  Thanks for stopping by!

LOVE this Layout!

Hello fellow paper junkies!  Well, a couple of treats for you today.  First, I was able to get my hands on the BRAND NEW how-to-publication from Close to My Heart!  This is the series that replaces our former Hardcover books like Reflections and Originals.  It is a catalog-style book called Make It from Your Heart Volume 1 and features 16 two-page layout patterns, two single-page patterns, and 12 different card patterns inspired by Jeanette Lynton's Let Me Show You How philosophy.  I was sooooo excited to see this, and let me tell you, I am very pleased!  The framed page on the front of the cover even inspired me to make one just like it!  I spent the better part of the night working on it.  This is the cover photo:

And this is my version!  :)

I used my Art Philosophy Cartridge and Cricut Expression 2 to cut out an entire sheet of 1" circles on Colonial White and Smoothie Cardstock.  I chose Tulip as the base of the page and centered the sheet of cut Smoothie over it after trimming.  Finally, I added the 1" circles strategically between the two.  I used a temporary adhesive to tack the Smoothie sheet onto the retiring Tulip (sniff) until I had all the circles down tight.  I LOVE the effect!!!  The matting on the right side of the page was also cut on my cricut in Colonial White and Chocolate.

 These beautiful flowers are from the new Just Blooms Floret Paper Flowers.  I also used the Tulip ribbon from the soon retired Designer Ribbon Red Collection.  A brad and an Opaque Gem made perfect additions to the centers. 

 New My Acrylix Stamp Set Alert!!!  I used Frame It Up (available Aug 1st!) to stamp the outside of this Bible verse from the He Is Risen set.  Both are in Cocoa Ink...the Chocolate just wasn't dark enough for me, so I mixed the papers and inks.  Also seen above are the new Sparkles Assortment Brown and Tan!  LOVE!  The green swooshes are from the Stella Compliments which will still be in the new Idea Book--yay!

I decided to journal all the when, where, and who on these flags.  The bottom sentiment is from another new My Acrylix--Love Blooms.  To balance the corner with the flowers, I added this lovely cross which I stamped in Cocoa from the He is Risen My Acrylix set.

Are you brave enough to give this background a try?  ;)

OK, so I said at the beginning that I had two treats for you, so here is the second:  During the month of August, you can join my CTMH team for only....are you ready for it......$49!!!!  YEP!  You can start your own business for only $49!  But wait, there's MORE!  There were some absolutely adorable bags that they gave the consultants at convention this year...and you will receive one when you sign up absolutely free until they run out!!!  Do not wait to jump on this offer.  Here is what you will receive in your Essentials kit for $49:

The FREE Bag!

 

 Approximately $130 retail value!

Only $49!
Includes a Read Me First Letter, Current Idea Books (qty. 3), Hostess Order Forms (qty. 5), Customer Order Forms (qty. 5), Close To My Heart Color Swatches (W471), Autumn/Winter 2012 B&T Duos® Sampler (W1115), Petite Perks™ Nature’s Delight Incentive Stamp Set (W2023), Avonlea Complements Canvas Shapes (X7155C), Workshops on the Go™ Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit (G1045), My Creations® Recipe/Photo Box (Z1322), Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet (Z1777), Chocolate Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2111), Slate Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2173), My Acrylix® Glamour Lowercase Stamp Set (D1522), My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Frames Stamp Set (D1527), 3" × 3" My Acrylix® Block (Y1006), and a 2" μ 3½" My Acrylix® Block (Y1009).

(Some items may not be shown. Contents subject to change.)

Now, If you want even MORE business supplies to start out with, you can get the $99 Master kit with the following added:

Includes everything in the Essentials kit
plus more supplies and 5 Studio J® layouts. Approximately $280 retail value!

Only $99!

Current Idea Books (qty. 7 more), You Are Welcome Here
Recruiting Brochures (W1151) (qty. 25), The Rewards Come Now
Hostess Brochures (W1150) (qty. 25), 5 Studio J® Layouts (redeem within 3 months, not shown), Studio J® Brochures (W111/W111C) (qty. 5), Hostess Order Forms (W122/W122C) (qty. 20 more), Customer Order Forms (W101 / W101C) (qty. 20 more), Petite Perks™ Nature’s Delight Incentive Stamp Set (W2023) (qty. 4 more), Cello Bags (W1152) (qty. 25), My Acrylix® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782), My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778), Bonding Memories® Glue (1512), Sponge (Z697), Liquid Glass (Z679), Chocolate Exclusive Inks® Marker Set (Z2434), and Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534). (Some items may not be shown. Contents subject to change.)

Who's in on August 1st?!  :)  Contact me or click HERE for more info!