Always Wear Your Invisible Crown

Alright, how many of you have bought a stamp set or an entire kit just for ONE thing or just ONE stamp?  COME on, admit it!!!

I know I have, and I am FINALLY getting around to using it, lol!  The Lollydoodle Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit is AWESOME!  I initially fell in love with it for ONE reason--the sentiment I used for this card!

Now, I planned on using this for scrapbook pages FOR SURE since I have two princesses and PLENTY of pics to scrap.  BUT I thought it would make a great little encouraging card as well!  :)  I stamped it in Whisper Exclusive Ink.

I had tons of little paper scraps lying around on my table from soooooo many projects that I had yet to clean up.  As I finally tackled the mess, I realized these just needed a tiny trim to fit together in a cute little cluster!  They are scraps from three retiring patterned papers from Close to My Heart including Skylark, Lollydoodle, and Balloon Ride.  These are going fast so grab them quickly if you are waiting to get them! I am going to tell you that if you like making cards with flowers on them, you MIGHT want to have some Skylark lying around to use with one of the new products coming in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  ;)

OK, so I knew I wanted to put this crown on my card.  Inside?  Outside?  And then it hit me!   BOTH!

I used Versamark Ink to stamp the image and then sprinkled it with clear embossing powder.  See how the crown fits just inside the little window?  I actually was able to bend in the sides of the crown to make it fit before I stamped it since the acrylic stamps are so easily manipulated.  A little heat with my heating tool makes it almost invisible except for the shine!  Starting in August, Close to My Heart will have embossing powders BACK in our Annual Inspirations Idea Book!  :)

A strip of Silver Shimmer Trim, a few sequins from the Lollydoodle Cardmaking Kit, and Black and Grey Sparkles completed my theme.  Here is another look at the entire card with the crown not in the shadows...

I am so glad you popped in today!  Have a fantastic weekend!  :)

Close to My Heart Flip Stand Album Project Reveal!

Hi everyone!  I am still on a HUGE high after the release of the brand new Spring and Summer Idea Book, and boy, do I have a LOT of projects in store to share with you!

The first reveal I have is a page from a fantastic product that I had not had an opportunity to use yet.  This project is serving two purposes for me: 1.)  I am using the random pictures that I LOVE, but have fallen out of my timeline of pics for some reason or another, and 2.)  I am using the Designed Decor Flip Stand Album as a business tool, making the pages out of the new papers and embellishments to use as a display at my workshops and gatherings!

This is my favorite page so far, and one that I created with a little wallet-size pic of my niece, Abbie, using the fantastic sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #121 this week!

Let's take a peek at some of the details...
This is my favorite frame in the Dimensional Elements Framework Pack.  It is one of three chipboard shape packs that are included with the Cricut Artbooking Collection.  I left it white and trimmed out my niece's darling little face with the silver shimmer trim because, let's face it, I LOVE IT!!!

I actually stumbled on a brand new use for my washi tape while attaching the picture to the fame...I used the Honey Triangles so you could see it really well...

This beautiful little cluster in the corner is a combination of embellishments.  I trimmed out the leaves from the beautiful floral print from my Ariana Paper Packet.  That gorgeous shade of grey in the background is one of the shades of CS exclusively included with the packet and is already a favorite of mine.  I sprinkled some sparkles from the Black and Grey Sparkles Assortment for just the right amount of bling.  The flower is from the Ariana Complements, and the dainty little bow is from the Ariana Assortment.  Thanks to Shelly for the help in my decision-making here!  :)  Do you ever use your "phone-a-friend" lifeline when crafting for a second opinion?

This entire project is becoming a fast favorite!  I am enjoying making a smaller 6 x 5.5 inch page for a change.  It is inherently limiting in what you can add because of the smaller size, but also less of a time commitment.  I really encourage you to check out the Close to My Heart Designed Decor Flip Stand Album and give it a try!  I will be posting more pages soon, so stay tuned!  Follow me on FB to always get the latest news and updates.  :)

Don't forget about this month's specials, including one that is JUST from ME!  

Embossing is Boss!

Wild about Love

Laughing Lola Finds Her Mojo

I am laughing myself right now because I hit a wrong button on my laptop--so this post published with just two words in the title.  Oooops!  Sorry if you received an email that directs you to nothing!

Anyhow, it was Monday just a few moments ago, and I just finished up my Mojo Monday 305 project already!  Yay!  You might notice something a bit different from my former Mojo entries...

Here is the gorgeous sketch:

When I saw this one, I immediately thought, "SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT!"  :)

I grabbed my Laughing Lola Paper Packet, some pics of my sweet girl, and a bit of bling to get started...

This paper will get plenty of use around here for sure!  I cannot wait to make page two for the layout!  Here is a complete list of all the Close to My Heart supplies I used:

Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut Cartridges
White Daisy and Slate CS
Laughing Lola Paper Packet
Silver Glitter Paper
Babycakes Scrapbook Workshop on the Go Stamp Set
Black and Gypsy Exclusive Ink
Mini Medley Accents Black
Purple Sparkles (retired)
Black and Grey Sparkles
Laughing Lola Assortment
Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon
Liquid Glass

Babycakes Take Two!

It was all I could do to put this paper packet DOWN, so I decided to show you the softer side of Babycakes with this adorable card for a baby girl.

These banner stamps are in the Babycakes Scrapbook Workshop on the Go Kit that is available starting TODAY on my website!  :)

I used a pattern from the brand new Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 also available today!  This how to book contains 16 two-page layout patterns, 2 single patterns, and 12 card patterns all inspired by Jeanette Lynton's "let me show you how" philosophy.

This cluster in the bottom corner includes several different embellies.  The super, sparkly silver flourish is from the Slate Mini-Medley Assortment.  I adore the Babycakes Assortment!  This great packet of embellishments comes with the Workshop on the Go Kit as well.  The Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon is perfect to soften it up.

Don't forget the inside of your card!  Just a little patterned paper in the bottom corner can add a lot of punch!  A little bit of shimmer trim doesn't hurt either!  ;)

Babycakes is great for either boys or girls!  :)

If you have been patiently waiting for the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book release from Close to My Heart, wait no more!  Head on over to my website and have a look at all the great new products!  If you place an order of $75 or more, not only will you receive the August Stamp of the Month absolutely free, but I will also send you your very own copy of the Idea Book!  Happy shopping!

Color Dare #37 Juniper

Hi!  I am still getting caught up around here, believe it or not.  You would think I had been gone for more than a week!  Oh well, you know what they say about idle hands!  Mine are NOT.  ;)

So, I am back for this week's Color My Heart Color Dare, yay!  I totally missed you guys.  This week we get to try our hand at using what I like to call "the forgotten green," Juniper.  I NEVER reach for this color when I need a green, let me tell you.  It isn't that I don't like it, because I DO.  It just isn't ever the green I need, lol.

For some inspiration, I reached into my leftover cuts/stamps.  There is literally an entire drawer full to choose from.  I pulled out a Pirouette, and ended up with a fabulous card for a wedding this summer!  :)

I had played with B1409 Pirouette when it came out in the Fall last year.  This was one of the extras that I had left, so I wanted to finally give her the life she deserved, lol.   I added a Juniper button, and a dark grey Sparkle.  Next, I formed the piece of trim behind the shape using White Daisy and Juniper Cardstock with a strip of black shimmer trim on top!  If you like a lot of glitter without all the mess, then this stuff is just what you need!  You should have seen me swoon when I first discovered this self-adhesive, non-messy glitter!   ;)

I adore this scrolly sweet sentiment.  It is found on D1539 The Happy Couple.  I used Slate Ink on top of the Slate 5 x 5 card form.  Actually, I used Slate intentionally since there is a hint of green in this shade of grey.  I thought it would look fantastic with the Juniper--and it does!  :)

I added a strip to the inside bottom of the card as well to finish it off nicely.

You can easily make this card at home!  There are only 5 Close to My Heart products that you need to go along with your cardstock, and they are all available on my website!  You would need the Artiste Cricut Collection in order to cut the shape out like I did, but you can also trim this one by hand.  Here is what you will need...

D1539 The Happy Couple  $17.95
B1409 Pirouette  $9.95
Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim  $4.95
Z1754 Sparkles Black and Grey Assortment  $2.95
Z1372 Buttons Green Assortment  $5.95

Contact me here on my blog, at mimimyselfandi@sbcglobal.net, or on my Facebook page to order these products, and your Sparkles are on me!  This offer is only available until the end of April, and only by contacting me to place your order so your Sparkles are free!  What a fabulous way to spread some sparkle!  :)