Happy National Papercrafting Day!

Well, officially I am a couple of days late with this wish, hahaha...but when you get busy crafting, you are sometimes late.  ;)

I got together with some old and new customers at my friend's house to create this easy-peasy layout inspired by the Close to My Heart Seasonal Expressions Idea Book...

I just love that I can use the layouts featured in our catalogs to create a bit faster and easier...

I also ADORE the new Worshops Your Way instructions that include ways to add more photos to your layout with these new page protector sizes!

Using Thin Cuts is just one way to create some easy embellishments on pages...

Zip strips are another way to add some coordinated pattern and color...did you know they come on every 12 x 12 pattern paper in the paper suites?  They do!
 

I used the following Close to My Heart supplies for this page...

Sugar Rush Paper Packet
White Daisy and Pomegranate CS
Sea Glass Glitter Paper
Sugar Rush Dots and Washi
Hearts Thin Cuts
XOXO Thin Cuts
Marvy Uchida LePen

and

The January Stamp of the Month!

You can STILL get this amazing paper wreath project for FREE on my website for two more days!  Just fill your cart with $60 of products from your wish list, and then you will be prompted to add it for FREE!!!  You can buy as many as you want for just $18.95 too!  :)

 Here's how mine turned out in case you missed it!

Hello Snow TCS Cut File Layout

I did it!!! 

The whole reason I purchased the Cricut Explore when I already had a perfectly good Expression 2 (and others, lol) was to be able to upload cut files other than those on Cricut Cartridges. 

AND I finally used one on a scrapbook layout!  :)

My crafty friend, Kelly, was INSTRUMENTAL in getting me through this process...she makes the BEST process videos and made THIS ONE that explains how to use a cut file from The Cut Shoppe.  It is at the end of her blog post, so scroll on down after you follow the link.  ;) 

ANYhow...as you can see in her video, it's pretty much a process of slicing and duplicating images over and over so takes patience at first to get the hang of it.  I used some of her tricks to make the title in White Daisy, Peacock, and Sea Glass CS from Close to My Heart...

I used a polka dotty Kraft base from the Rustic Home Fundamentals for the layout.

I really love to use my scraps, and did I EVER come up with a clever way to use my glitter paper die cut leftovers...as icicles!

I used another TCS file to make the bottom border of trees and mountains...adding some Emerald CS, All Together Complement bits, and leftover cricut scraps from the snowflakes!  ;)

My journaling is pretty limited sometimes, but I always make sure to include a date and names!

This was a super-fun intro for me into the world of cut files...and I will be posting something up on my Instagram to play along with the new CUT IT OUT challenge!  I can't wait to have time for more!  Are YOU scrapping with cut files? 

#tcscutitout

Balloon Wishes on Wednesday

Woah.  It's getting super late, so here comes a quick post!

I created this card to cheer up a crafty friend's hubby...

I stamped the beautiful hot air balloon image from Balloon Wishes in Memento Ink and colored it in a rainbow of ShinHan Marker colors...

The clouds are left over cricut cuts from Artiste, and two little Red Enamel Gems set off the sentiment banner...

I found this perfect sentiment on the stamp set that accompanies the new Flower Market Cricut Collection!

I sure hope it made him smile.  :)

Get ready for Valentine Season Now!

FREEEEEEEE!?

Fundamental Friday Layout!

Happy Friday!  Today is also a FUNdamental Friday on which I share a new creation with these FUNdamentally versatile papers from Close to My Heart.

I just adore this cutie pie...and the layout isn't bad either!  ;)

I used several strips in various widths of the Adventure Fundamentals as well as the coordinating Good Life Complements...

Keeping it Simple!  :)  Enjoy the weekend!

Still available!

Only in January!

New Year Organization...Check!

Sooooooo, is anyone getting more organized this year? 

I have a FABULOUS little tip for you if you have the new Close to My Heart Thin Cuts pilling up without a clue how to store them. 

It all starts with the Everyday Life Albums and Protectors...here is mine!

Do you believe those magnetic carrier sheets that come with the thin cuts fit snugly but nicely into the 4x6 pockets???

Just slice them in half to fit in the 3x4 pages!

This beautiful Everyday Life Album with gold foil accents is actually on clearance right now too!!!

This Black and White Striped version is the one I showed you above...

The Sea Glass version is even on the website still!!!  (my fave...and the one I use with the Planner Pages!)

 There are two sizes of protectors I used... 4x6...

 and 3x4....

I am LOVING this system to store my stand alone Thin Cuts!!!  I store the Thin Cuts that coordinate with any stamp sets WITH the stamps in the envelope.  Hope this helps you in your storage resolutions this year!

Only in January!

Just for National Papercrafting Month!

A Sparkling New Year!

I am SO glad you stopped in today because DO WE ever have a treat for you!

The ladies over at Blog Hops with Heart are ringing in 2017 with a little bit whole lot of Sparkle!

Let me say, that pictures can not do this little piece of work justice!  I tried in several different settings and lighting, and could not get a shot that I loved.  I hope you can imagine how much it really shines!

I am not a resolution girl at all...so I have taken a more "thematic" approach to my New Year.  I have been told I have a sparkly personality, and I have amazing strands of glitter sprouting in my hair, let me tell you.  I think this theme is really going to suit me...

I was able to use a variety of new toys on this project.  The yummy sprinkle paper is found in the new Paper Suite from Close to My Heart called Sugar Rush.  (They completely had me at "sugar.") ;)  

I embossed the image with Ranger Princess Gold Embossing Powder after stamping in Versamark Ink.  This Keep Calm sentiment is one of my faves from Papertrey Ink.  It came in the amazing Make It Market Kit called Shakers and Sprinkles.  I look forward to using this kit together more with my new sprinkle paper!

The highlight of the project is definitely the Sparkle shaker.  This die cut comes in the brand NEW My Girl Complements from Close to My Heart.  I used a combination of elements from the Papertrey Ink Kit, random sequins from my stash, and some stitched rectangle dies from My Creative Time to fashion the shaker element.

I spy Sea Glass Glitter Paper!  :)

My theme inspiration hangs perfectly meshed on my picture wall in the foyer.  Hopefully this little reminder leads me to calmly sparkle my way through 2017!   

Thanks for sticking with me through all those pics!  Now follow the trail of glitter to Becca's Blog for some more sparkle and shine!  Happy New Year!

Here's the whole line up for our hop...ENJOY!

Me!

Becca

Stephanie

Wendy

Shelly

Kelly

New Year, New Mojo!

Isn't it amazing how motivation is really the key to getting a project done?


THIS STORY was my motivation for my sprinkled birthday card, and the perfect Mojo Monday sketch by Julee provided the rest!

I used the Sugar Rush Paper Suite and coordinating stamp/die set from Close to My Heart.

Sea Glass Glitter Paper and Sugar Rush Dots, of course!  :)

The Baby Girl Complements provided these great embellishments!

 I was sooooooo happy to ring in the new year with a new Mojo like this, and hope she loves it! 

If you are a crafty peep with birthday cards laying around, why not send one off to her today (read the story in my link at the beginning if you have no idea what I am talking about...?)  I bet you have a stash ready to go!  :)