Tuesday, January 31, 2012

February Stamp of the Month Bloghop

I'm SOOOO excited - the new Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book starts in February!  New stamps, new papers, new embellishments.....can't wait to show you!


If you've arrived here from {Helen's Blog}, Welcome!


The Stamp of the Month Blog hop is where a bunch of Close To My Heart consultants show you what they did with the same stamp set, in this case, the February Stamp of the Month, called Thoughtful Tidings


Haven't seen it yet?  Here it is:






It's got a lot of great "thankful" thoughts.  You can just buy it for $17.95, or get it for $5.00 when you place a $50 order.  (Nice way to say Thanks For Being A Great Customer.)  Click here to start shopping from the NEW IDEA BOOK! (Starts February 1)


I made a couple of projects with the set.  Here's the first one:






This one was fun!  I used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to make the heart-shaped (French fry) box from the new Pemberley paper (LOVE it!) and a whole bunch of Cricut Tulip colored hearts in different sizes.  I sanded the edges lightly, so they would be defined, then using foam mounting tape, I just started sticking hearts to the main heart (from the stamp set).  I also used the gingham ribbon from the Red Collection designer ribbon.  Very fun, and pretty easy, too!  Filled it with chocolate kisses.  


My second card is kind of basic, but I wanted to show you more new papers.  This one is from the girly pack - Lucy.  I used the strip at the top of the 12x12 sheet for an accent piece. (More from Lucy later...)




I put some new Bitty Pearls on the flourishes.  The card is kind of basic to me, but sometimes that's ok.




Last but not least is a kind of funny (odd) one.  I was looking at the "Many Thanks" stamp and thinking, that looks like one of those political yard signs (which I hate).  So, I decided to make some yard signs for the front of my card...like this:




The signs are hanging off the edge of the card.  It's kind of funny, and timely, too.  I used toothpicks for the sticks and mounted the signs on foam mounting tape.  On the inside, I wrote:  It's unanimous...you're the best!


To make the grass, I tore it, but instead of making the white core side facing out, I used the "back" (green) side.  Then I cut "grass" with my scissors.  I know Martha Stewart has some "grass scissors" but I don't have them.  


Have fun with this stamp set!  I did.  :)


Now hop on over to {Katy's Blog} to see what fabulous ideas she has for you!  Enjoy!

Monday, January 23, 2012

STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS

I saw that little saying in a local cupcake store and I thought it would make a fabulous saying on a card...one with cupcakes, of course!






I made this card with the Piece of Cake stamp set.  (Lots of cakes and cupcakes in it).  I also used some extra little goodies...Liquid Applique (for frosting) and Red Glitz Glitter Gel (for cherries).






Here's a close up of the cupcakes:

You can even puff up the Liquid Applique with a heat gun, but I chose not to.  (Not sure about how the Glitz Glitter Gel would react to the heat...not well, I suspect...)  You could always puff up the Liquid Applique first and then apply the Glitz...


Hint:  Do a couple of test blobs with the Glitz on your scratch paper.


I like making my own patterned paper, and just used the other desserts in the set to do it.  I used Blush card stock with Hollyhock ink, stamped randomly.  The words "Happy Thoughts" is from the Zoology stamp set.  I thought it would be good to wish someone who was stressed and in need of desserts some happy thoughts!


To make the circle tag, I just typed the saying out on my computer, picked a nice font and colored the typeface (with my computer).  You can change your typeface colors under Format/Font/Color/More Colors/Custom.  I changed mine to Cranberry color (Red 204, Green 26, Blue 51).  


Supplies Used:
Piece of Cake stamp set (D1407, $17.95)
Zoology stamp set (B1391, $9.95)
Card Stock:  Blush, Lilac Mist, Vanilla Cream, Key Lime, White Daisy
Inks: Hollyhock, Outdoor Denim (for the main cupcake plate), Baby Pink (to sponge around the edges of the white paper
Markers:  Key Lime, Cotton Candy, Lilac Mist
Fun Stuff:  Liquid Applique, Red Glitz Glitter Gel, Clear Sparkles (colored with a green Sharpie)
1 1/2" circle punch
Sponge Dauber
Foam mounting tape







Friday, January 20, 2012

Sneak Peek & Collage Cubes

I'm so excited, I just finished decorating my Rock The Block cubes.  (This is what happens when you are snowed in...)  




If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the scoop:


When you place a $25 order from the Fall/Winder Idea Book, you can purchase the Rock The Block promotion kit for just $15 (a $44.90 value)!!!  The kit includes an exclusive E-sized ($29.95 value, 8 1/2" x 11 sized) stamp set and the super cute, new product coming out February 1, Collage Cubes!  The Collage Cubes are a set of nine 2"x2" paper/chipboard covered cubes that fit in a cute little tray.  All ready for decorating!


Here's the stamp set:


The sayings will fit on the 2x2 blocks


I was a little stumped looking at the cubes, because I didn't have any cute pictures in my stash to put on the cubes, so I decided to make this cute perpetual calendar, designed by Lynn Como.


I think it turned out really cute.  I used the Rock The Block stamp set, my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, BRAND NEW CTMH papers called LUCY.  ALSO in my sneak peek are the Just Blooms Paradise Paper Flowers (love 'em!) and the Lucy Compliments Glitter Rub-Ons (the crown...plus there's lots of flowers).  (All available Feb. 1)




I cut all the letters and numbers with the CTMH Cricut Cartridge, and blinged it up with rhinestones colored with my new rainbow of Sharpies.  I also decorated the tray with Lucy papers.  SO FUN!  Who knew that snow could make me so productive??


I love how the Just Blooms Paradise Paper Flowers already have printing on them! 68 flowers in a pack in 4 styles and various sizes.  Wheeeeeeeeee!

I printed some little Cricut flowers and stuck Just Blooms on top.

Also used Sharpie-colored rhinestones and my Edge Distresser
This was a really fun project to make, but time consuming because of the Sharpie-coloring and gluing.  Also, to "finish" my cube edges, before I started decorating, I sponged them with Olive.  I used a few drops of Olive Reinker on a plate and a round sponge to distress the edges.  I think that was faster than if I'd used a stamp pad to ink my sponge.  Don't know, I didn't time myself!

Let me know if you want to come and check out these goodies in person!  Card classes this month are January 20, 26 and 27!  lisa@lisasargent.net

Supplies Used:
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
Rock the Block stamp set
Lucy Paper Pack (new)
Lucy Complements Glittery Rub-Ons (new)
Collage Cubes (new)
Paradise Paper Flowers (new)
Clear Sparkles
Rainbow of Sharpie Markers
Card Stock & Stamp Pads:  Creme Brulee, Cotton Candy, Olive, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate
Liquid Glass (as additional adhesive for Clear Sparkles)
Buttons (Pink Assortment)



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Hot Chocolate Warms Your Heart

I didn't post much over the holidays, mostly because I was busy not doing enough of the many things on my to-do list!  I just found these pictures of the little gifty things I made for my boss and some coworkers.  Sorry, it's a little late for Christmas, but you get the idea...


I wrapped them up in cellophane for maximum giftiness.

Here's a close-up of one of the snowflakes.  I used Stardust Glitz Glitter and a Mocha Opaque for extra bling.


I used the Cricut to cut everything.  I love the french-fry box shape!

The cocoa packs were at Costco in a multi-pack (of course!).  My friend said the hot chocolate was yummy!





Saturday, January 14, 2012

Use up your paper...quickly and easily!

I admit it, I love paper.  I like sparkly paper and pretty paper, but especially paper with flowers on them.  Last week I "had" to make  notes for the kids to write Thank You's for their Christmas gifts.  And I have SOOOOO much paper in my house.  Ack!  I decided to use up my leftover paper and made some SUPER easy cards.  


This is the first one:


Just cut a square and added a CTMH sentiment with a Cricut shape.


Wings paper pack (retired)




Wings Paper Pack (retired)




Olivia Paper Pack (retired)


I made about 20 cards in a very short period of time! whoopeee!
One of my friends writes a LOT of Thank You notes.  (I've actually had to tell him to stop writing us Thank-You's.)  I gave him 10 of the not-too-girly ones.  BONUS, I now have a stash of note cards.  Yay!


Supplies Used:
Paper Packs:  Olivia, Wings (and a flowery non-ctmh paper (gasp!))
Stamp Set:  Thank You (D1361, $17.95) - a must if you write a lot of Thank You's!
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686, $99) (includes 700 Cricut images, 3 stamp sets, and 3 die cut chipboard sheets)
Coordinating Card Stock and Inks:  Smoothie, Sweet Leaf, Juniper (Paper); Vineyard Berry & Twilight (Ink)


I hope you're inspired to use up some of your stash!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

I like owls...do you?

Brown paper is from Wonderland; Blue paper is from Elemental; Pink paper is from Sophia


My favorite things are snowmen and penguins...but I like owls a lot, too.  They're so crazy!  I got this idea from my friend, Rachel. 


She got the idea from Cards a la Carte.  You can see the instructions here.  SO cute!  You cut a pillow box (I used Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cartridge cut at 5 1/2").  5 1/2" is large enough to fit a gift card inside, plus you can get 2 off of a 12x12 sheet.  Because my box is a little larger than the one in the (linked) instructions, I used more "feathers" (3/4" circles).  And I used a 1 1/2" circle for the eyes.  My daughter and I decided we liked the brown owl best.  Bright colored owls are cute, too.  BONUS - you can make a penguin with this idea!  If you didn't want to make a pillow box, you could just trim off the extra flaps and make it into a card.

They're so fun, plus you can use up your scrap papers making them.



Items Used:
Cricut Art Philosophy (AP) Cartridge Shapes: 
Pillow Box cut at 5 1/2" size
Circle at 3/4" size or use a punch (to make the feathers) - you'll need a whole bunch.  You could try using a larger circle if you want.
Circle at 3/4" size - black (for the eyeballs)
Two Hearts - one at 1 1/2" and one at 1 1/4" size
Two Circles at 1 1/2" size - white (for the eyes)
Two Ovals at 1" size for the wings
Really sticky tape/adhesive.  I used Terrifically Tacky Tape to seal the box on one side.  I used the 3M framing tape gun to adhere the feathers (see below).

On the front side of the box (where the feathers go), I covered the entire center portion (not the top or bottom flaps) with adhesive (I used the 3M tape gun.  You just want to be sure to use an adhesive that doesn't dry quickly, because you'll be sticking a bunch of circles on it.)  Turn the larger heart upside-down and stick it at the bottom (for the feet).  Then starting at the bottom, cover the belly with the circles.  I bent the circle-feathers up a little, so they weren't flat on the box.

Then stick the wings, beak and eyes on.  You can use a little bling for the eyeballs.  I used Clear Sparkles.

Fold the top and bottom flaps in.  You're done!  Congratulations!

We'll be making this super cute gift card box at my card classes this month.  Come on over and play with us.  :)  Call (425-255-3731) or email me (lisa@lisasargent.net) if you'd like to join us!

Lisa