Wednesday, August 31, 2011

September Stamp of the Month Bloghop - Already??

I  know I say this at the start of every month...but how can it be (September) already??  The kids have gone off to school (HOORAY), and I love the routiine-ness (is that a word?) that school provides.


Anyway, I'm excited it's September - there's a new Stamp of the Month called Limited Edition.  If you've just arrived here from {Shirley's Blog}, welcome!  


Here's the Stamp of the Month images, in case you haven't seen them yet.




I like the vintage-ness of it...the library card, the old fashioned hand and watch.  I'm not much of a vintage person, but I think this set will be fun!  


I'm thinking Christmas, with that tag.  Plus, the little elf from the Christmas Cheer set.




Supplies Used:  
Limited Edition, September Stamp of the Month (S1109, $17.95 or $5 with your $50 purchase)
Christmas Cheer (D1494, $17.95)
Inks:  Tulip, Black
Card Stock:  Colonial White, Topiary
Markers: Topiary, Tulip, Vanilla Cream, Honey, Sparkly Clear Gel Pen
Glue Dots
Colonial White Ribbon (retired)


One of my customers requested a schedule of my upcoming events.  I thought this would be fun to send her.  Come to think of it, I should make some more...




Here's a close up of the (Cricut) flower set at 2"




Supplies Used:
Limited Edition, September Stamp of the Month (S1109, $17.95 or $5 with your $50 order)
Typeset Paper Pack (X7139B, $9.95)
Card Stock:  Colonial White, Creme Brulee
Inks:  Crystal Blue, Chocolate, Juniper
Waxy Flax - Sunflower (retired)
Bigger Brads - Juniper (retired)
Sponge Dauber
Cricut flower (set at 2")
Hole Punch


That's all for today.  I plan on making some more cards with this set.  Have a fabulous day, and stamp yourself happy!  Now hop on over to {Adeline's Blog} to see the fabulous things she has for you to peek at.  



Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Carefree!

Carefree was far and away my favorite stamp set in the Spring/Summer Idea Book.


I love the chunky stems and the great leaves and flowers.




I got this lovely, simple card from my downline, Michele.  So what did I do?  I copied it!  (You know the sincerest form of flattery is copying...)


Here's Michele's card:




Here's my version, with the Carefree stamp set (of course!):
I made my card larger - 4" x 5 1/2", but it's the same principle.  The colored part is a band of colored card stock that wraps around the card and slips off the side (to open).


Plus, I liked using the Mocha Opaques.  (I used the middle brown pearls.  I like how they picked up the orange in the Smoothie paper and ink.

I also did first and second generation stamping.  Second generation stamping is where you stamp some of the ink off on a scratch paper (or your project).  The ink is lighter, but still the same tones.

Like how I lifted Michele's idea?  You're next!  (haha) Happy Stamplifting!

Supplies Used:
Carefree stamp set (C1447, $13.95)
Card Stock:  Smoothie, Pear, Colonial White
Inks:  Smoothie, Pear
Sponge Dauber
Mocha Opaques
Colonial White Ribbon (retired)



Sunday, August 28, 2011

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Last week was my husband's birthday.  I'm sure he would be horrified if he knew I was telling you all (what he doesn't know won't hurt him!), but I wanted to post the birthday card I made for him.  Unfortunately (for him) the card also shows his age.  He's not too excited about the cards I make, generally, but he does get very excited about the scrapbooks I make.  (Especially if they have our kids in them.  so sentimental...)


Its not fancy (for the reasons I just said, above).  But the other thing is I always feel like I'm cheating when I make him a card.  (looking at it now, a few hemp bows would have been a nice addition on the stars.)






I wanted to use the corrugated stars (I LOVE them, I don't know why, though!)  used the Cricut to make everything else.  I made the numbers at the 2" size.  What freaked me out a little bit was that the number FIVE was 2" tall, but the ONE was smaller.  I couldn't figure it out, at first, but I noticed that the pokey holes were in the same spots.  So the typeface is designed to have smaller and larger numbers, but the dots line up. Ahhhhh.  My friend tells me that you can also tell the Cricut to make the numbers the same size, but since I'm pretty much a Cricut Newbie, and I didn't feel like reading the directions, I just went with what I had.


I chose the numbers that had holes punched out (layer), so I could put brads (I used copper antique) in the numbers.


Supplies Used: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686, $99); Card Stock:  Kraft, Olive, Bamboo, Colonial White; Antiqued Copper Brads; Sponge; Cocoa Ink; Milepost Shapes (Z1464, $3.95)


See -- you can make a card in minutes with your Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge!  Even me, the Cricut Newbie.


Here are all 700 images on the cartridge.  For the $99 price, you also get THREE D-Sized Stamp Sets (a $53.85 value), THREE sheets of coordinating Dimensional Elements and the coolest Cricut Cartridge around!


You can click on the images to make them larger.  :)

























You can also get two free stamp sets (the Pair-A-Phrase sets) when you place a $75 order in August or September - so if you order the Cricut for $99, you also get the $35.90 in stamps for free.  woo-hoo!





But wait!  Don't answer, there's more!  :)


Since you are buying more than $50, you can buy the Stamp of the Month (Wicked), for $5.  In August, in addition to the Stamp of the Month, you will ALSO get the "A Typeface" stamp set for free!


August Stamp of the Month - Wicked
woo-hoo!
This set is free when you order the Stamp of the Month for $5.  wowie!




Get $60.80 in stamps for $5?  Hmmmmm, tempting!  Don't wait too long, the Wicked stamp set special ends on August 31.  The Pair-A-Phrase special ends September 30.  Click here to shop now!  


Lisa

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Heart2Heart Challenge Blog Card

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by my blog!   I'm excited to participate in the Close To My Heart Heart2Heart Challenge Blog this month!  If you've never seen that blog before, it's for people who love to use Close To My Heart products (and not just consultants...customers, too!).  You can even post your art on the challenge blog and link to your blog to show everyone what you've created!


They have regular challenges, postings and prizes.  This month I'm one of the sponsors, so I got to play along with the design team!




This week's challenge is a Back-To-School theme, since it's that time of year.  HOORAY!  

I thought that the Typeset paper pack was kind of a natural choice for this card, since it has numbers and letters on it.  The other thing I really wanted to use was the new Pin Clips (the little metal circle on a pin).  Since I use a lot of puffy tape (foam mounting tape), it's really easy to stick the pin into some of the tape somewhere on the card (mine is under the star).  I love making things pop up off cards.  (I popped the stars and ribbon, too, even though you can't really tell.)

One of the stamp sets I picked comes with the new Cricut cartridge collection that Close To My Heart has just introduced.

Supplies Used:
Blue Ribbon (C1464, $13.95)  Did you notice the new lower prices on stamp sets??  yay!
Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686, $99.00--includes 3 stamp sets and 3 packages of Dimensional Elements)  Did you  know you can get a bunch of free stamp sets in August & September when you place a qualifying order?  And the Cricut will definitely qualify you.  Email me to ask how - here.

Typeset Level 2 Paper Pack (X7139B, $9.95)
Milepost Shapes (Z1464, $3.95)
Pin Clips (Z1612, $4.95)
Metal Brad Assortment (Z1366, $4.95)
Card Stock:  Bamboo, Desert Sand
Inks:  Juniper, Cocoa, Cocolate
Stipple Brush
Foam Mounting Tape




Friday, August 19, 2011

Christmas Pillow Box

I've been having fun with my Cricut machine.  My friend suggested I make all the boxes as large as I could, so I could show people what they could do.  I made this fun pillow box and decorated the wrapper with the new Believe paper pack.





I used super sticky Terrifically Tacky Tape to put the box together, and on the wrapper and label.  Nothing else I tried worked very well.  I loved the elf in the Christmas Cheer stamp set.  (He actually looks like someone I know.)


I really like the new heavier B&T (Background & Texture) (patterned) paper that Close To My Heart came out with.  Plus, the new paper packs are lower in price!  $9.95 instead of $12.95.  They still have 6 patterns in each pack, but the papers now have 2 complimentary but different designs on a single sheet Yay!  The heavier paper is great for projects like these (above) where you need some substance on the wrapper.


Supplies Used:
Believe Paper Pack (X7145B, $9.95)
Christmas Cheer (D1494, $17.95) -- all stamps sets have new lower prices!
Card Stock:  Holiday Red, Topiary, White Daisy
Stamp Pads:  Black, Holiday Red
Markers:  Topiary, Sunny Yellow, Holiday Red, Parchment
Buttons:  Green Assortment (Z1372, $5.95), Holiday Red (retired)
Waxy Flax:  Colonial White
Glue Dots

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Pair-A-Phrase Blog Hop!

Did you know that August is a great time to shop with Close To My Heart?  There's some FABULOUS specials happening now!  


Promotion 1:  Stamp of the Month Promotion - August 1-31:  Place a $50 order and get the Stamp of the Month for $5 AND a cute alphabet set for free! 

Promotion 2:  Pair A Phrase - August 15-September 30:  Get TWO FREE stamp sets if you place a $75 order (National Stamping Month is September, but the promotion starts August 15)...

So between August 15 and August 31 the two specials overlap, and you can get $42.85 in FREE stamp sets with your $80 purchase!  (The 75 + 5).  The 3 stamp sets are really nice ones, too. 

The the National Stamping Month promotion is called PAIR-A-PHRASE.  Here they are the 2 free stamp sets:


If you've arrived here from {Jean's blog}, you've come to the right place!  Thanks for HOPPING by!


Here's the 3 cardsI did with the Pair-A-Phrase stamp set.  



Check out the snowman - glitter (of course!)



I even cut the tag out, old school, with Micro-Tip Scissors!

I love the new blingy diamond button things.  They even have a place for waxy flax!

SUPPLIES USED:  Pair-A-Phrase Stamp Set; Wonderland Paper Pack (NEW!) (X7146B, $9.95); Lilac Mist, Spring Iris, White Daisy Card Stock; Spring Iris Stamp Pad; Baby Pink, Sunkiss Yellow, Spring Iris, Grey Flannel, Creme Brulee (for nose) Markers; Liquid Glass, Prisma Glitter; Bling Assortment (NEW! sparkly buttons); Micro-Tip Scissors; Amethyst Waxy Flax (retired); 3/8" organdy ribbon (retired).

For my second creation, I did a Cricut card, sized 4 1/4" square.  The card design has 3 flowers cut out of the front panel, so that the inside will show through.  I put a 4" square Colonial White piece of paper on the inside of the card, so that the flowers would show up better.  I added 3 blue sparkles on the INSIDE of the card that show through to the front of the card.  What I like about this one, is it's a simple design.  Just stamp and color in the bicycle.  (I used Watercolor Pencils and the Blending Pen.)  I also used the A Typeface Stamp Set for the "Happy Day."  I think I need a little more practice with the letter placement.  My "Y" is too close to the "P."


SUPPLIES USED:  Pair-A-Phrase Stamp Set; A Typeface (available in August only...for free); Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge; Crystal Blue, Colonial White Card Stock; Outdoor Denim, Moonstruck Stamp Pads; Watercolor Pencils (3505, $22.95); Blending Pen (3174, $3.95); Blue & Green Assortment Sparkles (Z1327, $2.95)

My Third and final creation for this swap was this super fun owl card.  Another consultant (I can't remember her name) posted a similar card on the Close To My Heart Bulletin Board.  SO cute!

Inspired (practically copied exactly) from Brenda, who designed the card template.
Here's the inside:




When you open the card, the tree trunk rounds out and the party owl peeks out and makes you laugh. If you didn't want to do the fold-y inside-of-the-card thing, you can just make the front of the card.  It still works.


To make the tree trunk look like it has some texture, I used the Texture Tool (Stipple Brush) and some Chocolate Reinker on the Kraft paper and just brushed it up and down to make it look like tree bark.


The owl card took a little while to make, because I had to read the instructions (here).  Next time I will be faster.(Totally worth the effort, though!)


SUPPLIES USED:  Pair-A-Phrase Stamp Set; Remarkable Wreath Stamp Set (C1473, $13.95); Sky, Sweet Leaf, Colonial White, Cocoa, Tulip, Sunkiss Yellow Card Stock; Kraft Card Stock (Z1375, $9.50); Chocolate and Cocoa stamp pads; Chocolate, Bamboo, Desert Sand and Parchment Markers; 1 1/4" circle punch (for the leaves); small flower punch (for the hat, not-CTMH), 1 3/4" punch for the tree trunk hole; sandpaper (for the leaves).


If you are in the Seattle area and want to come to a card class - send me an email!  We'll be doing the snowman and the owl cards (plus 3 others).  If you aren't able to come to one of my classes, be sure to get the Pair-A-Phrase Stamp Set (and the A Typeset, too, if you order between August 15 and August 31.)  Click here to shop online right now!


Now HOP on over to {Mary's Blog} to see what kind of creativity she has in store for you!  Thanks for stopping by!









 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Chinese Takeout Box with my new Cricut!


I'm loving the new CTMH Cricut cartridge!  I love the little boxes and other 3D items you can make with it.  Here's my second official project - the Chinese Takeout Box (my fav), that I made with the  new Love Life stamp set.  I think this would be perfect for wedding favors or other party goodies.





Here's a close up of the flower (also from the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge)...and a better picture of the swirls and flowers.  I LOVE this project!  SO easy!  We also made it today at our team meeting.  





Supplies Used:
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
  Take Out Food Box (largest - 11")
  Flower (sized at 2 1/2")
White Daisy Card Stock
Love Life Stamp Set (D1482, $17.95)
Sky Stamp Pad
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad
Smoothie Stamp Pad 
Sponge Dauber




These are the flowers in the CTMH Cricut Art Philosphy cartridge.


There should be one more flower in there!  Sorry about the omission.


You can make lots of fun flowers - I inked mine with the Sponge Dauber (and Smoothie Ink) and swirled it around some tweezers.  See this post for more details on how to make the flower.  Each style of cutout makes a different type of flower.  Check it out!


I think there are only 6 different styles - there is a duplicate in there.
To color the flowers I used a sponge dauber (on both sides).  You could also use the Spray Pen and spray a little color onto the white flowers.  Also, adding a little Glitz Glitter Gel is a great look!  You can also add pearls in the centers.  


To secure the flowers in the middle, I used a blob of Liquid Glass and held it there for a few moments.  You can also use craft glue that dries clear.  Have fun, good luck!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Did you hear the big news? Cricut Comes to Close To My Heart!

I am so excited the Close To My Heart and Provo Craft have teamed up to create a Cricut cartridge!  There's 700 shapes to choose from, and there's coordinating stamp sets and chipboard (Dimensional) Elements, too.  woo-hoo!


Not only do we have the Cricut cartridge, there's also bunches of new stamps (that coordinate with the Cricut) and Dimensional Elements that are the same size, too!  AND in the Idea Book it tells you which stamp images have a corresponding Cricut cut AND on the actual stamp set, it tells you what size to make it, so you don't have to guess!  I LOVE this company and the forethought they put into everything they release!


Here's a little video produced by Close To My Heart.  So, I thought that I had posted this post a while back, but I didn't.  I'm SO sorry!




I just got mine the other day, and since I'm a COMPLETE Cricut newbie, I'm a little slow at producing.  :\   Soon, I will be posting things I've made so you can see what fun you, too, can have with a Cricut!