January Creative Club

Happy New Year!!! Friday, January 11 at 7 pm is our next Creative Club Night. This month we are featuring the Dakota paper pack and going "Back To Basics" with simple cutting and stamping techniques. We'll be making all 6 cards shown above.

If you live in the Northern VA area I'd love to have you. Email me or join Manassas Area Papercrafters on Meetup.com to stay up to date and RSVP for workshops and CTMH events.

If you can't make it but would like to order a club kit please use the Buy Now Button below. Here's what's included with your kit:

• Step-by Step Color Instructions
• All papers pre-cut
• Cricut Artiste Shapes pre-cut
• Pre-stamped images
• 6 cards/envelops

Shipping

Out-Of State Ship $10.00 USD Local VA Pick-Up $5.00 USD

If you have any questions please contact me directly. Thanks and I hope to see you at a CTMH event in 2013!

FMS#66 + Whooo's Your Valentine

Freshly Made Sketch #66 and the new Whooo's Your Valentine stamp were the inspiration for today's card.

The chevron and heart pieces were stamped with images from the adorable stamp set. The decorative heart doily was cut using the glitter paper included with the Whooo's Your Valentine kit (and it's a sneak peak from the Spring/Summer 2013 catalog!).

The doily was cut at 2 1/2" and the circle was cut at 1 3/4". The heart doily has a lot of intricate little cuts so I recommend using the low speed and high pressure setting on your cricut as well as using setting 6 on your blade.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Silver Glitter Paper, White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Pink Pastels (American Crafts)
Stamps: Whoo's Your Valentine
Ink: Slate, Cotton Candy, Black, Metallics Marker (Silver)
Other: Cricut Artiste, Cricut Art Philosophy, Glitz Glitter Glue

MOJO Monday 271



 

I used this MOJO Monday sketch to create today's birthday card. The background was stamped using tone-on-tone ink and the Diverse Background stamp. The doily image was cut using the Cricut Artiste Cartridge and stamped with the coordinating Pirouette Stamp set. I love how so many of the CTMH stamps coordinate with their cricut cartridges!

 

Thanks for checking it out!

 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Bamboo Cardstock, Miracle (retired)
Stamps: Diverse Background (D1508), Pirouette (B1409), Card Chatter Birthday (D1475)
Ink: Bamboo, Crystal Blue
Other: Blue Buttons, Hemp, Organdy White Satin Edge Ribbon, Border Punch (Fiskars), Cricut Artiste

So Thankful Scrapbook Layout

Here's a 2-pager I recently created to showcase our Thanksgiving this year.

I used a mix of current and retired CTMH papers and accessories. The stitch lines on the felt shapes were created with a gold Metallic marker.

The title was created using the new Irresistibles Houndstooth Alphabet. I colored the letters with CTMH alcohol markers which blend beautifully together and help tie in my paper colors. The "so" in the title is from the Felt Keepsake Alphabet.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Colonial White Cardstock, Olivia (retired),
Stamps: none
Ink:  Alcohol Markers, Metallic Markers
Other: Heartfelt Shapes (retired), Irressistbles  Houndstooth Collection, Felt Alphabet 

Flirty Fall Scrapbook Layouts

It's been awhile since I've posted a traditional 12 x 12 scrapbook layout. Today I leveraged the fun Flirty WOTG to create these two fall layouts.

Layout 1

 For the first layout I pretty much stuck to the WOTG. The only change I made was the size of the main picture. The original layout called for 3 x 3 blocks of photos and pattern paper. I changed it to include a 6 x 6 family photo instead.

The WOTG kit includes a package of colored chipboard shapes, My Reflections Complements. The dimension and coloring is gorgeous. Of course I had to bling it up a little with some Clear Sparkles, also included in the WOTG kit!

For the second layout I kept the main layout idea but changed the background pages and size of photos.

Layout 2

I had quite a few photos of this pumpkin filled day from 2010 so I opted to include a flip flap to the top of the layout to add more photos.

The flip flaps are pretty amazing! They come with adhesive strips to attach directly to your page protectors! For consistency I kept the design from the front the same on the inside pages of the flip flap.

The photo on the base page was created using the collage feature on Picassa, a free photo editing program. With the addition of the flip flap and Picasa I was able to get an additional 12 photos on one 12 x 12 page!!

P.S. Don't forget about the December Mystery Hostess Special. Join the Mystery Hostess gathering on my website to order your Flirty WOTG and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to earn free products! 

Enabler Alert: $10 Special!!!

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022) for only $10!  Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.

You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

This special is available December 13th at 9 am (MST), 2012 - January 31 (11:59 MST), 2013. One per qualifying order. When you order don't forget to join my December Mystery Hostess Gathering for a chance to win FREE products from me! To join select the Mystery Hostess Gathering on the bottom right of my website.

For the Deal Seeker...

Paper Packs for $2.00...Embellishments for $1.50...Combo items for $4.00...its Deals, Deals, Deals in December!!!

While Supplies Last

With the holiday's rapidly approaching CTMH has made it even easier to get some last minute deals for yourself or your loved ones. Starting now, new items will be posted to the "While Supplies Last:" section of my website. Among the new additions you will find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories  all with substantial markdowns!

Sample of Sale Items

And, to sweeten the deal even more, from December 1-31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories glue pen (Z553) - $a $4.50 value!

Mystery Hostess Special

Plus, on top of those great deals all orders placed through the "Mystery Hostess" link will be eligible for an additional $25 (or more) in free products!! You must order through the link to be eligible. Please make sure to "Join" the gathering before you purchase.

December Stamp of the Month - Year Round Cheer

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

Wish List

If your family and friends are struggling with what to get you this year send them your CTMH Wish List! Go HERE to print one off and fill out. You can either deliver it directly to your peeps or send it to me with a list of recipients and I'll deliver it for you! Gift certificates are also available for purchase!

For your friends and family that purchase online make sure to remind them to "Join" the Hostess Gathering for your chance to win even more items for FREE!

30 Days of Gratitude - Weeks 3 & 4

Here are weeks 2 & 3 of my 2012 Gratitude Journal (you can click on the photos for a bigger view):

Day 16: My DVR
Day17: Creative Time

Day 18: Girl Time
Day 19: My Chiropractor

Day 20: Healthy Babies & Growing Families
Day 21: Getting out of work early

Day 22: My Parents
Day 23: Lazy Days

Day 24: The Gym
Day 25: Husband that pushes me

Day 26: Kids who like school
Day 27: Our Church

Day 28: E-Meals
Day 29: Pedicures

Day 30: Date Night!

Back Inside Cover



My Journal Closed

I learned a few things while doing this daily journal:

1. Perfect pictures aren't realistic. Use what you have...that's part of documenting the process.
2. Make sure you have strong adhesive to bind the book.
3. With binding make sure to account for the thickness of the pictures/cards...also relates to #2!
4. Jot notes daily and then complete 1 week at a time.
5. Tell the "why." It's easy to write who and what but going a little deeper is what makes this special.
6. Have fun!!
7. Make it an annual thing!!

Here is Week 1 (with album construction) and Week 2.

Stamping with Dimensional Elements & Your Cricut

Discover how combining stamps and dimensional elements with your Cricut^® Artiste collection cut-outs can make your artwork stand out!



Thanks CTMH Art Deparment for such wonderful ideas. Isn't that mailbox super cute!! If you don't have the Cricut Artiste Collection now is the perfect time to add it to your holiday wish list. Contact me for more details or visit my website HERE.

30 Days of Gratitude - Week 2

Feel free to click on the photo to read the stories.

Day 8: Cuddle Time
Day 9: My Hubby

This week wasn't the easiest. Work was the worst its been in a long time. It wasn't the volume of work or being super busy. It was because of major drama and feeling like I lost a close friend. It certainly was not the way I envisoned my week to go.

Day 10: Sunsets
Day 11: Good Attitude

There were a couple of days where I felt like I had to really think about what I was grateful for. It was a good exercise though and I'm glad Dan and the kids made me think about it each night at dinner.

Day 12: Women's Support
Day 13: Laughter

I could easily have slipped into that dark moody place that nobody likes. But instead, I chose to find something good and focus on the positive!

Day 14: Old Friends
Day 15: Peace

I absolutely L-O-V-E this project! It's fun, it's simple, it's therapy and it's easy! If you want to see Week 1 and my album design please visit THIS POST.

Thanks for looking!

Cricut Cards and Envelopes

Want to know how to make fun pop-up cards and sliders with your CTMH Cricut Artiste? Then watch this video from CTMH for some fun ideas and techniques. The video also shows how to create custom liners for your envelopes.


Enjoy!
~Michelle

Freshly Made Sketch #60

I used my leftover papers and the stamp set from the Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Workshop to create this card. If you'd like to re-create one for yourself the measurements are as follows:

Card Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2)

• Cranberry Cardstock: 4 1/8" x 5 5/16" and 4 3/16" x 1 1/4"
• B&T Paper: 4" x 5 1/4" and 5" x 3/4"
• Chocolate Cardstock: 2 9/16" x 2 9/16"
• Colonial White Cardstock: 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

The card is based on Freshly Made Sketch #60. Thanks for checking it out!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Pear & Partridge, Cranberry Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps: Pear & Partridge Cardmaking WOTG
Ink: Chocolate
Other: Red Sparkles

30 Days of Gratitude...A Journal

I was inspired to create a 30 day gratitude journal after reading Cathy Zielske's 30 Days of Thankful blog post. The concept is really easy...each day write about something you are are thankful for and take/find a picture to match. I know a lot of people are doing something similar on FB but I love the idea of having a hard copy with photo reminders...I am a scrapbooker after all!

I created the journal using Vicki W's super easy mini album instructions found HERE. My only changes were that I added several more pages and I attached a ribbon around the outside before applying the scrapbook pages on the cover to create a tie close. I love that it fits 4x6 photos perfectly! I used my Cricut Artiste to cut the shape and title and stamped a background image on the title for some extra depth.

I created a template in word for my journaling blocks (3 x 5 index card) and merged the first two lines to create a larger title block. The date tabs are made using this month's SOTM, Capture the Date. Here are my first 7 entries (my photos in the journal are nowhere close to perfect and I'm totally OK with that!). Feel free to click on the photo to enlarge and read the journaling. Just don't critique my spelling and grammer!:



Day 1: Our House

Day 2: Pizza Night
Day 3: Hot Chocolate & Hand Warmers

Day 4: YouTube Videos
Day 5: Leftovers



Day 6: Voting
Day 7: My dear friend, Mary Ann

 

I look forward to sharing next week's pages. Thanks for checking it out!

Supplies (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Flirty Level 2, Dreamin' Level 2 (retired), White Daisy Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock
Stamps: Capture the Date (Nov SOTM)
Ink: Goldrush, New England Ivy
Other: Cricut Artiste, Chocolate Ribbon, Shimmer Designer Brads, Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel, All Out Adventure Rub-On's (retired)

Pigment or Dye Ink?

Pigment or Dye Ink? What's the difference and when do I use each type? These are a couple of the most often asked questions I receive. In this video CTMH explains the answer and shows you some amazing artwork comparing the two types of ink.



Have a great Thursday! To see all the great inks CTMH has to offer please go HERE or contact me for more info.

~Michelle

Fall Tissue Box Cover

In my blogging break I failed to post this cute tissue box cover my club girls made in September. We featured the fabulous new alcohol markers as well as the September SOTM and Artiste and Art Philosophy Cartridges.

Directions to make your own decorative cover can be found HERE. The project was a lot of fun to make and I look forward to creating one for each season!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

Halloween Wreath

I've been anxious to make one of these paper cone wreaths for some time and decided to make this last minute Halloween wreath a couple of days ago.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it is to make. A tip for those that want to make one: use your hot glue gun to make the cones! After a little trial and error (and some wasted adhesive) I learned hot glue was the fastest and easiest way to get these cones to stay.

The center circle and accordion flower were cut using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. In retrospect I think I would make the center circle bigger but for my first attempt I think it was pretty good.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: K&Co. Halloween
Stamps: none
Ink: none
Other: Artiste Cricut Cartridge, Hot Glue Gun, Martha Stewart Tape

Monogram Favorites

I've been feeling a little unmotivated to blog in the recent months (as you can tell by my lack of posts) and am hoping the creative fog will lift soon! In the meantime I wanted to share this amazing video from CTMH. It's all about creative ways to use monogram stamps! One of my new faves from the Fall/Winter Idea Book.

This video was pretty appropriate considering my club made the project above with monogram stamps earlier this month! They loved the project and so did I! Thanks to Lisa Stenz, one of my CTMH idols, for the creative boost. This project is perfect for teacher gifts this Christmas!

I have a few kits available for purchase. All kits include the following:

• Full Color Instructions
• Pre-Cut Cricut Artiste Magazine Style Box
• 13" Ribbon
• Pre-Stamped Images
• Pre-Cut Papers:
• Avonlea B&T
• Kraft Cardstock
• Colonial White Cardstock

To order a kit, 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. All others please select the Long Distance Option. 

Delivery Options

Northern VA Pick-Up $5.00 USD Long Distance $10.00 USD

Monogram Letter