Swan Lake with Attitude

It's finally finished!!!  I started this layout last month after playing around with the Purr-fect Halloween Stamp of the Month for August...and then hit a wall with no time to finish.  My sister finally showed me how to use my ShinHan markers to make a beautiful Birman version of the cat image, which was quite the improvement on my first attempts.  After that, I just needed TIME! 

Our sweet girl, Willow!

I ended up using the Swan Lake Papers and Complements for this layout in a way I never quite expected. Do you see the 4 Picture My Life cards I used?  One of them is matting a pic at the top middle of the page, two are sticking out right behind that one, and the fourth is used as a journaling box!

I didn't need the swans anyway!

I simple adore the Thin Cuts Hearts in any color!  Here I used the Rustic Home Fundamentals Kraft paper, and even added a bit of glitter with the new CTMH Shimmer Brush!  I cannot say enough about this amazing new product!  You can use it as-is to add a bit of sparkle...OR...add some ink to create lots of colored shimmer!

The Swan Lake Compliments include a touch of gold glimmer...and I dug out an oldie but goodie--White Marquee Enamel Shapes!

The Complements also have several title stickers that are FANTASTIC for layouts!  I snipped the "G" in one of them to turn "Gratitude" into "Cat-itude!" It was a great little stumble onto the perfect addition to my layout!  :)

Don't worry!  I am still full of gratitude! Thanks for stopping in today!  ;)

This week only!!!

Don't miss the Create Kindness Kit--there are less than 1000 left!!!

Valentine Mailbox Card from SVGCuts with the Heartstrings Paper Packet

I did it!!!  I actually uploaded an SVG with Cricut Design Space and successfully cut it out using my Cricut Explore.  :)  You have NO idea how excited I was to finally have a chance...or maybe, my crafty friends, you DO!  ;)

It was a super special card that I was sending to my kiddo in college, so I HAD to make this one good.  I am amazed at how easy it was...

After I uploaded all of the images that were included in the file, I just needed to refer to the sizing guide that came with it, resize each of the images, and choose my paper!  I wanted to use the adorable arrows on the B&T in the Heartstrings Paper Packet...

The Cranberry CS shows up a bit orange here, but it isn't...

I accented the patterns with the Lagoon, Whisper, Cranberry, White Daisy, and a light pink CS.  A few Red Enamel Hearts fit nicely to replace some of the paper hearts on the envelopes.  I also dug out some puffy hearts that totally remind me of the stickers I had as a kid in the 80's....oh, um, did I say that?  ;)

Do you recognize that darling White Marquee Enamel Heart?  Retired products are so awesome and so not...

This style card is called a Box Card.  I am totally hooked on them now.  They fold up to fit in an envelope, can you believe it?

This particular one came with the envelope cut in the file I purchased from SVGCuts.  I added a leftover cutout to decorate it...

THIS was SUCH a fun project to make!  I hope it puts a smile on my sweet girl's face!  What are you making for your sweeties?

Stamp of the Month!

BOGO HALF OFF in February only!

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!  :)

Damask Divas Timberline Blog Hop!

Welcome back to another amazing Damask Divas Team Blog Hop!  Oh my word, I am beyond blessed to be a part of the crazy creativity going on here!  :)

NOTE:  If you happen to stumble upon our hop before June 1st, you might want to come back once we get the kinks out.  ;)

Otherwise, sit back, grab your mouse, and enjoy the wonderful creations of the Damask Divas!

If you came from the super-talented Stephanie's Blog, you are on the right path!  If not, you can find the entire lineup on the Damask Divas Blog.

Timberline is one of the BEST paper packets for scrapbooking camping, hiking, or any outdoor events.  After watching one of the inspiring Artbooking Made Easy videos and reading THIS POST on Jeanette Lynton's Blog, I grabbed some of my waiting pictures from a family trip to Tennessee and and my Cricut Artbooking Cartridge and got busy!

I love any excuse to use these gold Durables Triangle Studs, and the Lagoon Baker's Twine is JUST the right thing to mix up this cluster...

One of the wonderful features of the Artbooking Cartridge is the pre-made titles...

The patterns in Timberline are great for outdoor pics--there is one with a wood grain, a celestial pattern, and one with sort of a map design showing lines of elevation.

Another favorite embellishment that I love to add to my layouts are the White Marquee Enamel Shapes.

My personal favorite pattern in this paper packet is the wood grain!  How about you?  This wonderful paper packet will only be around until July OR when supplies are gone, so pick some up while you can!  :)

That's all I have for you today, so now you are off to the mulit-talented Michele's Blog to see another fantastic creation with the Close to My Heart Timberline Paper Packet!  Enjoy!  :)

Don't forget!  June is a brand new month with some BRAND NEW specials on my website!  Get ready for the Fourth of July with KABOOM!, the June Stamp of the Month!

Also, you are really going to want to check out the six limited edition gift collections available while supplies last during June!  You can't get these retired products anywhere else!  :)  Celebrate 30 years with Close to My Heart with at least a 40% savings on these collections!

Here are the 6 Collections to choose from!  They are each yours for just $30 with a $50 purchase!

Delightful Ribbon and Trim Collection--a $54 Value!

• Hemp Black
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• Party Washi Tape 3-Pack
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack
• Colonial White Rosette Ribbon

Extraordinary Embellishments Collection--a $50.55 Value!

• Mini Medley Accents Antiqued Gold Collection
• Just Blooms™ Floret Paper Shapes
• Pixie Glitter Alphabet
• Glamour Glitter Alphabet
• Color Ready-Canvas Alphabet
• Chalkboard Shapes
• Durables Round Studs
• Durables Square Studs
• Colonial White Rosette Ribbon

Accessory Coordinates Collection--a $53.55 Value!

• Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Huntington Complements
• Chantilly Complements
• Huntington Assortment
• For Always Assortment
• Tommy Assortment
• Surfs Up Assortment
• Chantilly Assortment

Holiday Happiness Collection--a $64.55 Value!

• Season’s Tweetings Gift Bags (2 sets)
• Frosted Paper Packet
• Frosted Complements
• Frosted Assortment
• Sparkle & Shine Textiles
• Sparkle Holiday Shapes
• Sparkle & Shine Complements
• Sparkle & Shine Assortment

Papercrafting Possibilities Collection--a $61.25 Value!

• Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel
• Almond Glitz Glitter Gel
• Colonial White Die-Cut Cards
• My Creations™ Cubby
• My Creations™ Collage Cubes
• My Creations™ Star

Gifts and Kits Collection--a $64.70 Value!

• Hemp Black
• Glamour Glitter Alphabet
• My Originals™ Matchbook Card Kit
• Chantilly Textiles
• Seasons Tweetings Gift Bags (2 sets)
• My Creations™ Collage Cubes

Countdown to Graduation Continues...

Four days and counting...

I am almost ready for this HUGE moment.  ALMOST.  And I am not just talking about the party.  Actually, I am not sure a mom can possibly EVER be ready for her firstborn to graduate from high school!  I'm slowing things down a bit here to revisit almost 18 years of pictures in my Artbooking mini-album made with the beautiful papers in the Ariana Paper Packet.

Up today are the first three years of high school.  She might not like these first two school pics, but I love to see the progression from year to year, so I didn't leave any out!  It's totally my prerogative as the mom.  :)

I love the way this page came together.  The name of each school year is stamped from the School Years My Acrylix in White Daisy pigment ink onto vellum flags.  If you love vellum like I do, then check out the sweet Free to Be Me paper packet available this month from Close to My Heart!  It comes with two different vellum prints--gold polka-dots and feathers!  I swoon just thinking about it!  ;)  Back to the mini...

This awesome title element is taken from the Overlay key on the Artbooking cartridge.  Here is what it looked like before I trimmed it up...

I accented each of the fishtails with the Sparkles Chevron Shapes.  I admit I was a bit scissors happy with these embellishments.  A real cut-up.  Should I stop now?  ;)

LOVE the Junior year picture sooooo much!  :)

 Glitter paper, CHECK!  :)  Oh, and let me tell you...texting is BIG-time around here, lol.

I cut part of a Sparkles Flourish for this one--shocking, eh?  This is absolutely the perfect Complement to use,"Be who you are and no one else."  Words she has definitely embodied over the years.  *sniff*  Oh man, here we go again with the tears...see you tomorrow!   

Counting Down to Graduation with Ariana and Artbooking

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating a special mother in your life.  Time to turn things over to celebrating a fabulous daughter in my life this week!  My oldest is graduating, and it totally sneaked up on me...

Reminiscing is something that I can easily do with this sweet mini-album I made with my Cricut Artbooking Cartridge on my Expression Machine.  Here are a few more looks inside!

I don't think the Polaroid trend will ever leave my pages...I just love the look!  This particular cut is a great way to use the Close to My Heart Glitter Paper.  Again, one of my go-to products, I just love how these Marquee White Enamel Shapes POP off the Outdoor Denim CS.

I completely adore this combination of stripes and floral in the Ariana Paper Packet!

The beautiful patterns and blooms are wonderful to use in conjunction with vellum and sparkles to make it even more feminine.  I added these Bitty Sparkles to the chipboard flower from the Ariana Complements--see what a difference just a little bit of embellishment can make?  The tiny little bows in the Ariana Assortment are also perfect!

Simple pages in mini-albums are a quick way to add photos without taking a big chunk of time out of your scrapping.  I used just a bit of Silver Shimmer Trim and an Artbooking cut to dress this one up.

I just love this trio from Junior High! 

I made more simple embellishments using patterned papers, Enamel Shapes, and Shimmer Trim.  :) 

Why does it seem like time is flying JUST as fast as the pages in this album are turning?  I will show you more later this week!  :)