Happy Birthday

Okay, I have been gone a long time. Sorry but things at work have been a bit intense and it has meant that crafting has slipped so far off the radar that I forgot what my Cricut machine even looks like! But this is a looooong holiday weekend and I hope to do some serious scrapping. But in the meantime I thought I would share a card I made a while back that somehow I missed posting. 

I used some scrap paper and my handy dandy Cuttlebug with 2 of my favorite embossing folders to add some serious texture. Then I used one of my few flower stamp sets...I really don't have many flower stamp sets...popped them up and added some Liquid Glass to the center to add a little pizzaz. I finished it off with a little "Happy Birthday" sentiment and voila, a card is born!

Here is a different angle...

Come back soon and see what new craft goodies I have in store for you...I hope you all enjoy the long Labor Day Weekend! 

A Piece of Cake!

This post has a BUNCH of photos so sit back and watch me bake a slice of cake that has ZERO calories!

This cake is being "baked" using my Clementine paper from CTMH and my new favorite cartridge - Artiste! I made the base cut using the "Fit to Page" feature, scored the folds and adhered it.

The next step was to build the top of the cake. I cut the top out and scored the lines.

Once I glued it up it looks yummy!

I placed the top on the bottom and have the foundation of my cake slice box. This Clementine paper is so cute.

Each of the pieces of paper from the CTMH patterned paper has 1/2" edges with different coordinating patterns. Here I took the 1/2" strip from one sheet of the Clementine patterned paper and used it to help "ice" the cake.

I wanted to add a bit of coordinating color to contrast with the Clementine paper so I added some Creme Brulee paper. I traced the cake topper and then cut it out but took off an extra 1/4" so that the base paper would come through.

I took the Creme Brulee paper and ran it through my Cuttlebug with an embossing plate (PTI) and then rubbed some Desert Sand ink across it to show off the embossed design.

I needed to decorate my cake so I took the patterned paper and cut out some of the flowers. Who decorates a cake without flowers right?

I needed to add some dimension to my flowers so I did some strategic cutting and popping.

I added some mini medley accents pieces in Olive. With some buttons and brads I was able to add more depth to my flowers.

I even added "leaves" for my flowers using the Olive-striped ribbon from the Mini Medley accents

Here is the final photo from the side to show off the dimension of the flowers on my cake.

Here is close up shot. I think this slice of cake turned out so cute. This slice comes out to 5" or 6" and the tops pops on and off quite easily and the inside will hold a bunch of fun treats. 

Regular baking should be so easy and fun. I hope this step-by-step tutorial has inspired you to "bake" up your own fun project.

Happy Crafting!

Go Fish Challenge #23 - Paradise

How fun is the Go Fish Challenge #23?!?!?!  I had such a blast creating this layout and I hope it inspires you to join in the fun!

This challenge allowed me to use some fun family beach photos. I was able to use my Footloose (CTMH) Workshop on the Go which included all the paper, stamps and embellishments in the set...plus it has design ideas (which I totally copied!). I have to say that I love this sea life stamp set (which you can only get with the Workshop kit). I also learned a new technique where I layered ink colors on a a stamp using my daubers. Then I stamped them on paper and cut them out. The color variation really makes the sea creatures pop off the page. 

Come one, get on the ball and join this challenge...I dare you!

Happy Crafting!

Make It from the Heart with CTMH

I recently got the Make It from Your Heart Vol 1 How-To booklet from CTMH. This is the first in a series of sketch booklets being released from CTMH. If you own any of the older sketch books then you will love this one. This is a smaller in size and price - it is only $7.95. The soft-bound booklet features 16 two-page layout patterns, 2 single-page layout patterns and 12 different card patterns. You can see many of these patterns in the Workshop on the Go® card-making and scrapbooking programs for 2012–2013. 

Here is a video showing off some of the beautiful projects found in the booklet.

Here is a photo of some artwork inspired by the booklet. You might recognize it from the new Fall Winter CTMH catalog. Don't have the catalog yet? I have them available for sale for $5 and if you end up placing an order I will give you your $5 back in credit.

I made my own project using the guide...let me know what you think.

Back to School Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Back to School Blog Hop, brought to you by the fabulous design teams of Made Especially For You and the GoFish Challenge Blog!

These two design teams have joined together to bring you some fun and crafty inspiration to help you get started on those back to school projects! If you've just come across the hop and would like to start at the beginning, please visit Made Especially For You.

These projects were created using my Cricut Artiste and my new Scholastic paper from CTMH. I add their new Burlap ribbon and wooden buttons to add a masculine touch. I threaded each button with chocolate waxy flax too. The base card stock is also from 2 new colors released with the new catalog - Ruby and Saddle. If you would like to see the details on how to construct these projects I have a 2 part video at the end of the blog!

We have some wonderful sponsors giving away prizes to those who comment on EVERY stop of the hop! Let's see what they have to offer...

Paper Piecings by Nikki

$15 Gift Certificate

Scraptastical Kreations

$20 Gift Certificate

The Stamping Boutique

3 images of the winner's choice

You must comment on every stop of the hop to be eligible to win a prize. Hoppers have through Sunday August 12th to comment. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Made Especially For You on Tuesday August 14th. 

Your next stop is Laura's blog. 

Here's the entire lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com

C - http://www.tradefishdesigns.com

Laura - http://scrappinaroundtheclock.blogspot.ca/

Kate - http://scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com

Jessica - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

Kathy - http://letsgetscrappytogether.blogspot.com/

Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com/

Nancy - http://thetrinketcollector.blogspot.com/

Cyndy - http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://www.mypaperpie.blogspot.com/

Robin - http://www.thecricutscrapper.blogspot.com/

Eileen - http://www.scrappingactuary.blogspot.com/

Karen - http://simplyfrenzied-karen.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for hopping along with us!

Now here is the 2-part video series on how to create this project. One thing to note is that there is a distinct panting in the background that I did not notice until after viewing the videos. You see, I had just come in from throwing the tennis ball to my black lab Luke and he was sitting on the floor at my feet cooling down. I am just so used to the sound that I block it out - if you have ever owned a lab that liked to play catch then you know exactly what I am talking...

Yeah, Luke the lab is panting in the background of this one too...sorry...but he is pretty cute (proof below). 

Luke, the lovable Labrador...

Now that you have seen our beloved dog it's time to get HOPPING on over to Laura's blog!!!

Space Party!

First, the supply for anyone interested in taking advantage of the CTMH deal on becoming a consultant (with the awesome free bag) is going fast...only 65% of the inventory on the bag remains (go HERE if you are interested in learning more) and when they are gone, they are gone...

Okay so I worked on a bunch of projects but have not had a chance to download the photos so I thought I would share another cool video showing off a cool new stamp set from CTMH. This set is called Outta this World (hmmm...that name sounds familiar right?...I am having flash backs...some of you may remember a little stamp set I designed toward the end of last year...).

Anyway, this set is awfully cute and has coordinating cuts from the new Cricut Artiste cartridge...have I mentioned that this is a must have cartridge if you are a Cricut lover? If you have a little one and are interested in planning a space-themed event this is the set for you!

For those that may remember the flashback...

Some of you were kind enough to support me when I tried to start my own business. Alas, circumstances prevented me from continuing the business (layoff...cough) but I still have a bunch of stamps lying around. And in honor of the new release from CTMH (which is on my wish list) I am going to give 3 lucky bloggers a free copy of the set I designed from my personal stash (just to clarify for the lawyers, the free set is the one I designed above - not the CTMH set). All you have to do is leave a comment and make sure you  become a follower. I will select 3 people at random for the sets. Please make sure you leave your email address in the message so I can contact you. I will draw the winners on the 13th. 

Happy Cricut (Outta this World) Crafting!

Becoming a CTMH Consultant

With the release of the new catalog I have received some emails from people interested in finding out more about Close to My Heart. If you EMAIL ME I will contact you directly and answer any questions you have but I thought I would also share some information with everyone about what is involved in becoming a Close to My Heart consultant.

Here is a video from Close to My Heart that should answer some questions for everyone...and sometimes it's just more fun to see a video right!

For more details you can check out the Join My Team tab above.

Happy CTMH Crafting!

Go Fish Challenge #22

As you all know the first of the month means...Go Fish Challenge #22! This challenge is all about using either a triangle or circle as inspiration for your project. I decided to show you a tutorial for my project to show off the new Close to My Heart exclusive Cricut cartridge called Artiste.

I decided to make a 3-D project for this challenge. The photo below is the fit to page size for my triangle project.

Here is the project off the mat. You can even see the lines I used to see where to fold.

I used my Scor-Pal to help me with straight folds. The booklet at the top of the photo is the Instruction Manual that comes with the cartridge to help with the 3-D folds.

Here is the project scores and adhesive-ized...

Folding this triangle was very easy and only 3 flaps to fold.

Here is the triangle folded and adhered...the Outdoor Denim paper makes a great base for the patterned paper coming up. Using the "Fit to Page" button on the Cricut resulted in a triangle that was 5" high.

Here is the patterned paper I chose. It is from the Pemberley Collection from Close to My Heart.

The triangle mat was trimmed down a 1/4" then glued down to the face of the triangle.

Here is the final photo. I used the Artiste cartridge again and cut 2 doilies in 1.75" and 2.25" inches with more paper from the Pemberley Collection. I distressed them and layered them. Then I used the Artiste cartridge and cut the banner in Colonial White cardstock, layered it on the coordinating chipboard element (that comes with the Artiste cartridge) and distressed them all with Desert Sand ink. Then I used some Outdoor Denim ink and stamped the banner image from the coordinating stamp set that comes with the Artiste cartridge called Birthday.

Here is look from the side angle to show off the dimension I created with the added dimensional adhesive on the banner.

Today is also the day the new Fall/Winter 2012 Catalog from Close to My Heart comes out. Check out all the amazing new stuff and you want to place an order you can either contact ME or click on the "Shop with me!" cart below.