Conserving Paper Tip

As I was working on my project for my scrapbook club I realized the Lucy WOTG uses the beautiful two-sided pattern paper as the layout base. My stingy self couldn't dare part with the backside of this paper...I see cards being made with it after all. So, I wanted to share a little way I conserve my paper in situations like this.

First I got all my supplies ready and laid them out according to the sketch guides.

Then, I used a pencil to lightly mark where the edges of the layers are and added another mark approximately 1" in from all sides. After that I used my paper trimmer to cut to the marked corners and popped out the center piece. Voila...another beautiful piece of pattern paper to use for something else!

In my example I cut out the entire area underneath which didn't leave anything for the connecting pieces to hold onto (oops). No worries though, I just flipped the page over added a few pieces of scotch tape to reinforce and connect the pieces. Once this puppy is in my album nobody will ever know.

What do you think? Can you tell part of the background paper is missing???

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Lucy Paper Kit
Stamps: Lucy WOTG, The Works Alphabet
Ink: Grey Wool
Other: Bitty Sparkles, Cricut Art Philosophy, Lucy Complements Rub-Ons, 3D Foam Tape

Mojo Monday 241

Recently Jeanette Lynton, the founder of CTMH, had a blog post about using background stamps. I was inspired by the artwork she shared as well as this week's Mojo Monday sketch to create this card:

I plan on using it for a graduation card this summer. The card size is a standard A2. Here are my measurements if you would like to re-create:

Grey Wool Cardstock: 4" x 5 1/4"

White Daisy Stamped Piece: 2 7/8" x 4 1/4"

White Daisy Circle: 2 3/4" (Cricut Cut)

Black Scallop Circle: 3" (Cricut Cut)

Here is the sketch:

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Grey Wool Cardstock
Stamps: Diverse Backgrounds, March SOTM - Potential (retired)
Ink: Amethyst, Black
Other: Edge Distresser, Sponge, Bitty Sparkles, 3D Foam Tape, Ribbon (Simple Memories)

The Giveaway Winner Is....

 Drumroll please....

The winner of the Dotty For You Paper Pack is Mary G!!! Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your beautiful 24 sheets of paper! I can't wait to see what you create with it. You have until May 20 to claim your prize.

For those that didn't win this time, thanks for playing. If you are interesting in getting this adorable set you have until May 31.


There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5*.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation Smile^®donations) between April 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

Technique Blog Hop - Yo-Yo Flowers

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the “Yo-Yo Flower” Technique as shown on page 27 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

If you are coming from Joy'sBlog, you are on the right track! 

The technique in the Idea Book uses border images cut from the Art Philosophy Cartridge. While I use that cartridge almost daily (it is quite fabulous) I thought today I would show you how to do the same technique with ribbon. It's really pretty easy and the outcome leaves a beautiful affect on any project you are creating.

Here's how I made mine:

1. Gather your supplies: ribbon, thread, needle, flower center. I used both a wide and thin ribbon to show that this technique works well for both.
2. Thread needle and tie knot at end. The thread color doesn't really matter since you won't be seeing it in the final product. For demo purposes I used red for the contrast.
3. Sew running stitches along the length of one side of the ribbon. This doesn't have to be perfect. If it did I wouldn't do it. I AM NOT A SEWER!
4. When you get to the end start pulling your thread. The ribbon will start to gather forming a circle.
5. When you are satisfied with your flower you will want to finish the ends and connect together. You can sew them if you want but I'm simplifying it further and using glue dots to hold it in place.
6. Trim your thread and finish your project!

I finished off my project by repeating the steps above with a smaller grosgrain ribbon and layering the flowers. A little bling center and my card is complete!

Supply List:  Dark Chocoloate Ribbon (Z1617), Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1103), Embroidery Floss, Bling Assortment (Z1466), Needle, Glue Dots, Kraft Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Scoring Tool, Cranberry Ink (Z2116), Two-Step Background (D1473), Sanding Block

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Debi's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Mojo Monday 240

It's contest week at Mojo Monday and boy have I missed playing with their sketches! Today I made a standard sized card and used the CTMH Lucy rub-ons and the Art Philosophy Cartridge for my embellishements.

These rub-ons have some amazing glitter detail...perfect for this girl who likes to bling it up once in awhile!

If you'd like to re-create my card here are the measurements I used:

Background B&T: 4" x 5 1/4"

Grey Wool Mat: 2 1/4" x 5"

Pink B&T: 2" x 4 3/4"

Grey Wool Scallop (Cricut): <Circle3> 3" p.41

Green B&T Circle (Cricut): <Circle1> 2 1/2" p,21

White Daisy Banner (Cricut): <Banner2> 2" p29

White Daisy Butterfly (Cricut): <Bttrfly1> 3/4" p. 41

Grey Wool Circle: 1 1/2" (punch)

White Daisy Circle: 1 1/4" (punch)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Lucy B&T, Sweet Leaf Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps: Lucy WOTG
Ink: Blush
Other: Lucy Complements, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Hollyhock Ribbon, Cricut Art Philosophy, Sparkles (red, pink, purple)

Teacher Appreciation Day 5 - Fun Day

We have been very fortunate to have had some amazing educators so we wanted to do something fun! I went through my stash of cards and wrote a special note from me and my husband. Then, we stuffed the cards with scratch-off lottery tickets. Hopefully the teachers will enjoy it and win some extra money! Lord knows they deserve it!!!

May Creative Club

This month my club gals are making an adorable mini-brag book with Lucy papers. This is a great project to highlight any important event or person.

Project kits are $5 each plus shipping and include the following items:

• 3 - 4 1/4" x 5" Card Bases
• 28" pink ric-rac ribbon
• 12" Waxy Flax
• Pre-cut papers (Lucy B&T, Grey Wool Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock)
• Pre-stamped images
• Book Rings
• Full Color instructions
• Cricut Craft Room file with Art Philosophy cuts (emailed)

To order a kit(s), you may either send me a check or pay securely online with a credit card or your PayPal account by using the PayPal “Buy Now” button below.If you are in the Northern VA area please select the local pick-up option and we can make arrangements for delivery.

Delivery Options

Local Pick-Up$5.00 USD Long Distance Ship$10.00 USD

Orders placed by Sunday, May 13 will ship by Wednesday, May 16. Orders after that will ship within a week of payment. Here's what's included in your kit:

If you would like to be notified of future workshops please join Manassas Area Papercrafters on Meetup.com or sign up for my monthly newsletter!

P.S. I'm having a blog give-away! Leave a comment on THIS post for a chance to win the Dotty For You Paper Pack for free!

Teacher Appreciation Day 4-Sweet Treats

Days 1 and 2 covered breakfast and drink so it's only fitting that one day took care of something sweet! Today I made paper sour cream containers filled with miniature chocolate candies. Each container holds 4-5 miniatures. This was a fun and easy project and one the kids could easily do with a little instruction.

The tutorial for these quick containers can be found HERE.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Magnifique (retired), Chocolate Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock
Stamps: Thank You
Ink: Lagoon
Other: 2" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Organdy Ribbon, Natural Hemp, Tacky Tape

Teacher Appreciation Day 3 - Bookmark Card

We are halfway through Teacher Appreciation Week. The theme for my daughter's kindergarten class is "Fantastically Awesome Readers" so the kids and I made bookmark cards. I like that the bookmark is perforated making it easy for the recipient to tear off and use. Instructions for this card can be found HERE.

I kept life simple and made three of the same card. I used the May Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet, colored it in with my watercolor pencils then blended it with my waterbrush. As I was coloring my daughter kept saying, "Boy mom, you are a messy colorer!" Considering she won a coloring contest this year she's probably right!

The sentiment for the bookmark came from a now retired Workshop On The Go. I thought it was quite fitting for the theme. To finish the inside I incorpated my kids recent school pictures as well as their note as to why their teacher is the best!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Olive Cardstock, Sunflower Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps: May SOTM, Wings WOTG (retired)
Ink: Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, Desert Sand
Other: Watercolor Pencils, Waterbursh, 3D Foam Tape, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Dark Chocoloate/Colonial White Ribbon

To see the full Stamp of the Month set or to purchase your own go HERE.

P.S. I'm having a blog give-away! Leave a comment on THIS post for a chance to win the Dotty For You Paper Pack for free!

Teacher Appreciation - Day 2

Today's teacher gifts use the Art Philosophy Cartridge again to make a water bottle hanger to hold Crystal Light Packets.

 I cut each door hanger at 10 1/2"using Shift + Font Layer + <Star2> (p.25). After a few folds and a couple adhesive lines it was done! The front B&T paper piece is cut at 2 5/8" x 2 7/8" and the stamped shape was cut at 1 3/4" <Square5> (p.63).

To add a little more interest I made a pinwheel flower to add to the top of the hanger and decorated the water bottle in coordinating papers. Sorry the pictures are so bad...I had to take them quick this morning so the kids could get them to school. Awe...the life of a procrastinator!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Bamboo Cardstock, Miracle B&T
Stamps: March 2012 SOTM - Thoughtful Tidings, Miracle WOTG
Ink: Chocolate
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, 3D Foam Tape, Kraft Borders, Glue Dots, Blue Assortment Buttons


P.S. I'm having a blog give-away! Leave a comment on THIS post for a chance to win the Dotty For You Paper Pack for free!

Teacher Appreciation Day 1

It's that time of year to honor the wonderful people who teach our children. For many of us our children's teachers spend more time with our kids than we do. I truly believe each and every teacher deserves recognition for their time and endless energy they give each day.

Today's gift is all about nourishment. Since breakfast is the most important part of the day my kids our giving their teachers chocolate chip muffins. Yummy!! I wanted the packaging to be simple but meaningful so I turned to the Art Philosophy Cartridge to create these cute little take-out boxes. I literally whipped five of these puppies up in under an hour...including stamping time and fighting with a very persistent cricket (unfortunately the cricut won and is nowhere to be found). If you are adding food to these boxes like I did make sure to add some wax or parchment paper first. Each box holds 3 mini-muffins.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Florentine B&T, Sonoma B&T, Smokey Plum Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, 
Stamps: March SOTM
Ink: Chocolate, Sunflower, Cranberry, Olive
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, White Floss, Metallic Brads, 3D-Foam Tape


P.S. I'm having a blog give-away! Leave a comment on THIS post for a chance to win the Dotty For You Paper Pack for free!

Happy NSD & Blog Giveaway

May 5th is National Scrapbook Day and to commemorate I figured it was time for another blog giveaway! This time the new Dotty For You paper pack is up for grabs.  Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.

Now that I've tempted you with this amazing goodness here's how you enter...simply leave a comment on this post. How easy is that! On May 15th I will pick a winner. Once you contact me with your shipping address I will get it shipped to you! You'll only have until May 20th to claim your prize so make sure to check to see if you are a winner!

Want to see more of this paper pack? Click HERE. Good luck!

Life Is Crazy

Things have been pretty crazy since our vacation and I really haven't had much time to create and post. I miss it terribly and hope things will calm down so I can get my mojo back. Please be patient with me and I promise I will get something new up soon!

Until then here's May's Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet.

And, here's some artwork from the CTMH Art Department. 

If you'd like to make any of the featured projects please go HERE for a complete supply list and step-by-step instructions.

You can purchase this set for $17.95 or for only $5 with a $50 purchase! That's over 70% off retail. To get your set please visit my website or contact me today.