Another Gift Card Holder from Artiste

Hi again, everyone! 

I am almost caught up on all the GREAT projects I have to show you in my stash.  In case you are out browsing for gift card holder ideas, I have one for you!  The Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge has two wonderful gift card cuts to choose from.  I used the Laughing Lola Paper Packet to whip up a beautiful example for you to see!

I want the recipient of this gift to feel very special indeed, so it resembles an award ribbon.  :)  It also features one of my favorite ribbons, the Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon.  Get your hands on this gorgeous 1.5 inch wide ribbon before it disappears...they just added it to the retiring list!  Gasp!  The items on this list are only available while supplies last--except for the My Acrylix Stamps which are available until January 31st. 

I used black and silver shimmer trim and the slate striped twist ties to make these accents...yep, I inked one side of the twist ties in Gypsy!   I used the My Acrylix sets from the Artiste Collection and the Frame Flair My Acrylix to stamp the different elements of the sentiment in Black, Crystal Blue, and Gypsy.  Each of the shapes is cut out on my Cricut to match the stamps!  This is one of my favorite features of our three Cricut collections!

The inside panels of the card are simply matted CS rectangles.  The Black really sets off the pop of white.  I used a sentiment from the Perfect Fit Thanksgiving My Acrylix on the bottom corner.  I adore the font in this set!

I spent my gift card, so had to use CS to show where it goes, lol!

Not too long ago, I posted up a cute Christmas themed gift card holder. using this same cut.  In case you missed it, check it out HERE!  :)  There are so many ways to dress this one up!

And now, let me share a secret with you!  Get ready for some awesome deals!!!

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 #32 Gets Stuck in the Muck

Happy Thursday to you!   It's time for another Color Dare!  This week we are showcasing the three Close to My Heart colors Pear, Lagoon, and Outdoor Denim.

Alright, how many of you have launched yourselves head-first into a project or craft only only to find yourself come to a screeching halt?  (This is where you all humor me and raise your hands, or give up a sassy, "Mmmm HMMM!")  ;)  Well, THAT, my friends is what happened to me this week!  I thought I knew exactly what I was doing with this design, but unfortunately the two cuts from the Artiste Cartridge that I thought went together like peanut butter and jelly, well, they were actually more like peanut butter and ketchup, lol.  Thanks to the wonderful encouragement of the Color My Heart bloggess Sarah, though, the project came together after all!  Here is the finished product...

I had everything embellished by the time I realized that the Outdoor Denim colored card shape was NOT an envelope sleeve for the other cut!  I am not sure why I didn't realize it before, lol, but I sure didn't.  Here is the page in the handbook with the cuts...just so you don't think I am crazy... ;)

Sarah suggested I upload a photo so she could help "unstick" me from my design dilemma.  It is a good thing too, because she pointed out the simplest thing to me that would save the whole design (thanks, Sarah!)  :)  Whew!  Instead of using the entire card shape of the Outdoor Denim shape (yeah, it's not a sleeve, it's a card all on it's own) I simply needed to cut off the back and attach it to the front instead of using it as the sleeve that it was never meant to be, lol!  It worked out great too!  If you ever get stuck on a project, be sure to ask someone for an opinion before you scrap it!  ;)

I bet you thought these colors were from Later Sk8r, right?  Well, guess what?  The Zip Strip from the Chantilly Paper Packet matches it spot on!  All I had to do was change the little dots from pink to white with my gel pen!  ;)

Here it is when you open it up...I trimmed a picture of the girls being silly at the zoo to give to Grandma in this beautiful little presentation.

Here is my creative formulary for this wonderful little tuck card.  (I made up the name, isn't it fitting?  You tuck the end of the paper up under the little flap to close it.)

Cricut Artiste Cartridge
*Provocraft Expression 2 Cricut Cutting Machine
Whisper, Outdoor Denim, and White Daisy Cardstock
Chantilly Paper Packet Zip Strip
*White Gelly Roll Pen
Lagoon and Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks
D1506 Family Love My Acrylix Stamp
D1546 Frame Flair My Acrylix Stamp
Silver Shimmer Trim
Satin Polka Dot Ribbon
Black Button Assortment
Paradise Assortment Baker's Twine

Now it's YOUR turn!  Get crafty with these three colors along with any neutrals you choose, and link up to the Color My Heart Color Dare!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!  :)

Happy Birthday to Carisa!

I really wanted to share the gift that I sent along with my Mojo #266 card.  I used one of my favorite retired papers from Close to My Heart, Wonderland.  It coordinated nicely with the card, so I wanted to show you how much bang you can get out of matchy-matchy cards and gifts.  ;)

I thought of a totally new way to use my shimmer trim!  I added it as a little tag loop to attach it to my Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon.  I only removed the backing from the adhesive where it would touch the tag, not where the embroidery floss threads through.

Here is the other side.  The little box closes with a hook and loop dot.  Then I embellished it with a flower and button.  This is the same little box cut from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge that I used for my pumpkin boxes for Halloween--seriously!  ;)  HERE they are in case you missed them.  And yes, I am still trying to figure out how to edit the video tutorial I made.   :(   I need a tech department, lol.

I didn't take a picture of them, but I added some of my homemade gift tags inside the box that my friend had admired on my facebook page.  She is such a sweetheart!  I hope she has a fabulous day!  :)

My St. Louis Regional Contest Entries

OK, so I rearranged the order of my posts juuuuust a bit.  I have been absolutely dying to share these projects with my teammates (read Diana, lol), but was keeping them under wraps until after the contests.  Well, the contests are long over!  First up is my entry to the Card contest using the new Alcohol Markers.  I have not had any training in the pretty coloring and shading that some of you are so amazing at, so I approached this one from another angle and used the markers in sort of random coloring.  I also did not take any pics of the other entries because I have no idea yet how to color like that, lol, sorry!  You will just have to take my word for it that they were amazing and ALL variations of coloring in pictures, so I was apparently clueless in this one.  No prize for this one, but I absolutely adore it.  :)

Yep, my coloring stinks, but I love the card!  I can do this one in so many different colors and plan on making some sets to sell with different sentiments.  This one will go to the next lucky couple I know getting married.  :)  I used a silver brad in the center and some bitty sparkles around the medallion edge.  This Black Tulle Ribbon is simply mahvelous, darling!

The Love Life My Acrylix stamp set provided the perfect background pattern.  Then I used Beautiful Friendship My Acrylix for the medallion shape, and the Avonlea Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go Stamp set for the sentiment.

My favorite new product (I may have mentioned that before), Shimmer Trim,  made itself at home bordering the sentiment.

I even added the flourish stamp from the background to the envelope.  SO who's getting married?!  ;)


NEXT up is my entry for the 3D object contest using the new chalkboard paper or shapes.  Again, no prize, but man you should have seen the competition!!!  Wowzers there are some super-talented consultants out there, and I had no idea how these things went.  NOW I know, lol.  Anyway, I used the chalkboard paper and my cricut to make my favorite of the 3D shapes--the Magazine File filled with cards in the same beautiful Avonlea paper.

 Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon?  Check.   Shimmer Trim?  Oh you betcha!

I used an antiqued copper brad and a couple of stamps from the Avonlea Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go for this embellishment. 

Now, for some pics of some of the other entries...

The winner:

and some of my faves...

They did not post the names of the consultants who created these, so I cannot even mention the fabulous designers, sorry!

Now, back to our regular programming tomorrow!  ;)

Mojo Monday 256

I was able to get my Mojo back on yesterday and finished my card just before midnight, yay!  My tired eyes could not find my camera in my craft room, so I used my phone to take the pic this time.  The quality is definitely fantastic, but not sure how to get the sizing right now.  Hopefully this works!    Here is the sketch for Mojo Monday 256:

I really wanted to try out the round shape to mix up my usual repertoire, and am glad I did!
I think it turned out fabulous and am in love with the sketch now.  What do you think?

The background of the card is from the Pear and Partridge Paper Packet.  The patterns in this packet are definitely more versatile than just for Christmas!  That being said, I also can't wait to use it for Christmas Cards though!  ;)  I am very happy with the way the Archival Ink worked with the new Alcohol Markers.  I made sure that it was completely dry before I colored it, and the black did not smudge at all.  I do need to work on my coloring skills though--glad I no longer have to stay within the lines!  ;)

Here is a complete list of the supplies I used:

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
White Daisy and Black Cardstock
Pear and Partridge Paper Packet
Beautiful Friendship My Acrylix
Love Blooms My Acrylix
Archival Black Ink
Black Ink
Smoothie and Olive Alcohol Markers
Shimmer Trim
Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon
Liquid Glass (to seal the cuts on the ribbon)