Hair Bow Organization

I recently saw this project in the Simply Handmade Magazine and I knew I had to re-create it for my daughter.

It was such a quick project to make as I already had a ton of ribbon and some leftover felt (not sure why I had that to begin with).

I tried running the felt through my cricut to cut the heart shapes but because of the adhesive backing on the felt that didn't work. So instead I used my cricut to cut heart templates on paper and pinned them to the felt which I hand-cut. The large purple heart was cut twice.



Once they were cut I layered each piece and hand sewed with white embroidery floss. Before the two purple layers were completely sewed I stuffed the heart with filling to give it some dimension and also attached the ribbon to both the top and bottom.

I used a small command strip on the back of her bathroom door to hold her organizer. Boy does this make morning routine quicker...no more searching in a plastic bag for hair bows!

P.S. My super awesome co-worker and friend, Maureen, makes the hair bows. She is awesome!!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: White Cardstock (on hand)
Stamps: none
Ink: none
Other: Felt (Walmart), Ribbon (from stash), Embroidery Floss (from stash)

Level 1, 2, 3...What the Heck??

For anyone that's ever looked at a CTMH catalog or been to a gathering, the number one question I receive is what is the difference between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 layouts. Levels are CTMH's representation and guides for their faster, simpler, easier philosophy for scrapbooking. Here's a little closer look at each:

Level 1...Simply Beautiful: Have lots of digital photos? You'll love Studio J, our patented online design software that gets your photos off the memory card and into your life! Create a layout in as little as five minutes, with as many as 15 photos! It's photo archiving and artwork in a snap. Look for the Level 1 symbol in the Spring/Summer Idea Book on pages 11-61 for Studio J designs you can make in minutes.

Level 2...Especially Creative: Great handcrafted projects start with a strong foundation: CTMH's gorgeous and versatile My Reflections papers! B&T Duos papers are cardstock-weight, are perfect for layering, and feature a different design on the front and back. Pick a design pattern from any of Jeannette Lynton's how-to books, add in easy-to-use coordinating accessories, and let your creative self run wild-no stamping required! See the Level 2 symbol on pages 16-58 for great ideas to inspire you.

Level 3...Masterfully Rewarding: Live your creative life to the fullest with our top-quality My Acrylix stamps! These clear stamps offer unparalleled flexibility for your one-of-a-kind masterpieces, featuring designs to suit any occasion, holiday, or style with flair. See the Level 3 symbol on pages 14-60, as well as stamped artwork through the Idea Book for exhilarating ways to accent any project with the beauty of stamping.

I hope this helped clear things up a bit.  You can find examples of each level my using the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 labels on the left side of my blog. I'm always here if you have more questions or need help with something. Shoot me an email, handmadefromtheheart@gmail.com, and I will help you in whatever way I can. I am here for you!!

1 Stamp Set: Male vs. Female

When you look through the CTMH Idea Book you'll probably see some stamp sets that you'll automatically label as either "male" or "female." I know at least I do!


The CTMH Video below will show you that with a little imagination and some simple color palette changes, you can achieve a masculine or feminine look using the exact same stamp set!  Check out the video to see how to create the scrapbook pages featured on page 89 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.



I have both boys and girls and am thinking I need to add this adorable set to my wish list! I can picture lots of very cute birthday cards being made in the near future...

MOJO Monday 228

This week is a just for fun challenge at Mojo Monday and here's my creation.

I used a retired paper pack, Miracle, and the coordinating Stickease to create this card. I love when cards come together quickly!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Miracle (retired)
Stamps: n/a
Ink: Cocoa, Crystal Blue 
Other: Miracle My Stickease (retired), Dimensional Elements, Green Grosgrain Ribbon, Baby Rub-Ons (Making Memories)

Here's the inspiration sketch:

Technique Blog Hop - Even Easier

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the “Even Easier” Technique as shown on page 91 in 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. 

We would love to see what you’ve created using this month’s technique, please visit our challenge blog at http://technicallyterrific.blogspot.com where you can share your project and be entered in a chance to win great prizes.  You will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Bethany's Blog, you are on the right track! 

I've had this box for a few years now just waiting to be used. So, this month I finally decided to use it and created our Family Treasure Box. Unfortunately CTMH doesn't make the memory box anymore but this same project could be done using the photo boxes that are always on sale at the local craft stores.

Front of Box

Once I decided on a layout for the top piece (I used a Reflection How-To Sketch and then modified the sizes), I used my Cricut and the Family Love stamp set to help me decorate it!

Detail of Sentiment - Cut with Cricut

I knew I wanted the family sentiment as a main focal point so I cut out <Shape 8> on B&T paper and stamped the sentiment in Versamark. Then, I heat embossed using black embossing powder.

Title Detail

I also cut the FAMILY title using Art Philosphy font and layered the letters onto the coordinating Dimensional Elements. Boy does that save my little fingers some cutting!

Box Top with Dimensional Elements

I finished off my project by adding some of the beautiful new Bohemian Accent Flowers and Sparkle Nourishes. I know this will be handled quite a bit so I added a few thin layers of Mod Podge to help protect the papers and keep it looking in tip-top shape. I'm working on something special for the inside cover so stay tuned for that! 

Detail Front

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: Stella Level 2 (X7147B), Black Cardstock

Stamps: Family Love (D1506)

Ink: Tulip (Z2166), Black (44751), VersaMark

Other: Black Embossing Powder (Z670), Finishing Files (Z1091), Heat Gun, Mod Podge, Tweezers, Dimensional Elements Alphabet (Z1682), Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Bohemian Assortment (Z1687), Sparkles Flouishes (Z1708), Bling Assortment (Z1466)

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Tonya'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. Happy hopping!

MOJO Monday 227 Version #2

I was thinking about this sketch all day and raced home from work to make it before my kids came home.

I flipped the sketch horizontally and used some leftover MyStickease for the top portion. The banner was stamped using the Pennants alphabet stamp and tied onto the card front using CTMH's new Baker's Twine.

Thanks for looking...again!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: You Rock (Retired), Outdoor Denim Cardstock
Stamps: Pennant Alphabet
Ink: Orange
Other: 3D Foam Tape, You Rock My Stickease (retired), Bakers Twine, Brads-Autumn Harvest, Corner Rounder, Piercing Tool

MOJO Monday 227

It's contest week over at Mojo Monday so I thought I'd play along.

The sentiment piece was cut using Rectangle 7 on the Art Philosophy Cartridge. I cut it in black cardstock at 2" and then again at 1 3/4" on white daisy cardstock. The sentiment was a little longer than the shape so I masked off the "Flutter" piece and stamped it separately. 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: Sweetheart B&T (retired), Black Cardstock, Grey Cardstock (American Crafts)

Stamps: Butterfly Wings (retired)

Ink: Black

Other: Hollyhock Ribbon, Pink Sparkles, 3D Foam Tape, Wings Level 2 Assortment, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Here's the inspiration sketch: