"Anything Goes with the Artiste" Blog Hop

Welcome to our "Anything Goes with the Artiste" Blog Hop where we are showcasing  the exclusive Artiste Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant. This will be our last Artiste blog hop for 2012.

Our "theme" for this hop was to create anything we wanted with the Artiste Cricut cartridge. And honestly, you can pretty much create anything and everything with the Artiste so this was not a difficult thing to do.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - Love 2 Create.  If you came here from Laura's blog, Scrapping Sweetie's Escape, then you're in the right place!

 My project is ... Christmas Gift Bag

I knot that I've had quite a few Christmas projects but it is my favorite season.  I needed to decorate this gift bag and thought this "Anything Goes" challange would be perfect.

The bag is an olive green so I thought the Pansy Purple would be a great contrast.  The paper is prismatic and provides some sparkle and a little polish to the bag.  The ribbon is some of the May Arts ribbon left over from my rosettes. 

 "Merry Christmas" (Pg 80 - No shift Merry Christmas button)

Wide Ornament  (Pg 53 - Accent 3 - No Shift - top layer, Shift - bottom layer)
Narrow Ornament  (Pg 53 - Accent 4 No Shift - top layer, Shift - bottom layer)

I added pop dots to give it some "pop"!  I also photographed (with my early Christmas gift - a light box!) the ornament (wrapped in brown paper) and a homemade gift certificate envelope using some retired CTMH paper and more May Arts Ribbon.  The gift ends up looking a little rustic but with a hint of class, don't you think?

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Theodora at Celebrate Crafts.

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

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2. Darla ~ Caution:  Crafting is Contagious 
3. Diana ~ Diana's Free Moments
4. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapboooking
5. Laura ~ Scrappinsweetie's Escape
6. Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents   <You are here!
7. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts  <<<< Go here next!

Thanks for stopping by and 
MERRY CHRISTMAS & 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And we have TWO WINNERS! (and a new Giveaway!)

Thank you, my friends, for all the entries in my giveaway.  Although I did not make it to 100 Followers (YET!), I have decided to still give (1) $10 Product Credit and (1) Stamp Set away.  Here are the winners:

$10 Product Credit - Heidi D.

Stamp Set - Heather N.

I haven't decided on a new giveaway yet . . . any ideas?  Completed cards?  Stamp Of The Month Credit? Anyone that gives me an idea for the giveaway will get FIVE extra entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by!  I have another project/blog hop to come on 12/22!   

Family & Friends - Art Philosophy Blog Hop

(IF you are looking for the December "Stitching" Technique Hop, click here.)

Welcome to our "Family and Friends" Blog Hop where we are showcasing  the exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant. This will be our last Art Philosophy blog hop for 2012.

We will be showing you creations made using the Art Philosophy cartridge for our family and friends.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - Love 2 Create.  If you came here from "Stephanie's" blog, The Quilted Scrapper, then you're in the right place!

 My project is ... "Forever in my Heart" Layout

My daughter means the world to me.  She has many qualities but my favorite is how photogenic she is.  I swear she can't take a bad pic.  This pic inspired the page using my new DCWV Far East paper and combining it with a few left over AP cuts I had.  The frame around the date, the scalloped background (under the two flowers) and the two dragon fly cuts (my favorite) are all from the cartridge.  The leave under the flowers were also cut from the cartridge.  Everything was cut using Cricut Craft Room for a few different projects (but I never throw anything away!).

After the evens of today in Newtown, CT, this page and all of them featuring my daughter from a baby on are even more precious.  I hope that one day she values the time I took to document her precious life and all the moments that I remember so well.

You've reached the end of the hop!  Thank you for stopping by.

 Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you missed any along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2. Darla ~ Caution: Stamping is Contagious
   
3. Diana ~ Dian's Free Moments
4. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking
   
5. Laura ~ Scrappinsweetie's Escape
   
6. Priscilla ~ Priscilla's Paperie
   
7. Stephanie ~ The Quilted Scrapper
   
8. Kindred Hearts ~ It Makes Total Cents  <<YOU ARE HERE!

 Thanks for joining us - have a wonderful and safe holiday with your friends and family.

December "Stitching" Technique Blog Hop

(IF you are looking for the "Family & Friends" Art Philosophy Blog Hop, click here.)

Welcome to the December "Stitching" Technique Blog Hop.  Each month, we feature a different technique and this month is is stitching.  You may see some faux stitching, some done with machine, and some done by hand as you hop along.

If you've come from Wendy at My Scrapbooking Blog, your right on track.

Here is my project.  My God-nieces birthday is on the 30th and I was looking for a unique wrapping for her present.  I decided to use brown paper and stamp it.  I'm thinking of using twine to decorate it as well. As this was decided, I thought a gift tag using browns and the twine would fit right in.  I really do not have much experience with true stiching of paper but I have to say it was much easier than I imagined.

For this project I used a stencil and cut a background out of brown cardstock and then three more hearts out of scrap material I had.

Then I cut the scrap paper hearts to make it look like a patchwork heart.  Finally, I whip stictched the edge and covered my stiches with another smaller cardstock heart.

A little stamping and decoration and it's ready to add to my package. Your next stop on the hop is back to the beginning (if you haven't been there already) Debi at Debi Is The Other Sister.  Here's the full list in case you get lost along the way.

1 Debi Barber - http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com/   <<YOU'RE NEXT STOP/THE BEGINNING
2.Joy McHargue - http://studiowowjoy.com/
3.Rachel Ventura - www.happyscrappinsquad.com
4. Judy Faye Garner - http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/

5. Wendy Kessler - http://MyScrapbookingBlog.com/
6. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com/    <<YOU ARE HERE

Thanks for stopping by. 

PRODUCTS USED:

• Brown Cardstock
• (3) CTMH Scrap paper - coordinating
• Fiskars stencil
• CTMH Piercing Tool & Needle
• CTMH Brown Bakers Twine 

Just in time for Christmas . . . . BIG SALE & free glue!

JUST ANNOUNCED ... 

 At 12:00 AM (MST) on December 1, my CTMH website will have LOTS of  new SALE items.  Go to the “While Supplies Last” to find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown. You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.

To sweeten the deal even more, from December 1–31, all $50 or more orders placed will also include a free Bonding Memories® glue pen (Z553)—a $4.50 value! 

Fill your shopping carts NOW because they are only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!  Happy Shopping!

Just a few other REMINDERS . . . 

1.  The GIVEAWAY has about 16 days left and I'm not to 100 followers yet.  I may still give away some product credit and a stamp set but to see the WHOLE giveaway happen, share, SHARE, SHARE!!!!

2.  The "Capture the Date" special has a few days left...

3.  LOCAL FOLKS ... I will have a table at a local vendor fair on Saturday (Dec 1, Shopko Mall, 10:00 - 3:00).

4.  Retired list for 2012 has been announced!
        RETIRING STAMPS  
        RETIRING EMBELLISHMENTS & PAPERS

 . . . and thanks for stopping by! :)

It's An Artiste Christmas . . . and Giveaway Reminder

Even though there won't be an Artise (CTMH Cricut Cartridge) Blog Hop today, I thought I would still post my project on my own.  I hope you like it!  The Artiste Cartridge is quickly becoming my favorite cartridge!  (Don't forget to check out my Special's page . . . it's a great time to purchase this cartridge!)

My project is . . . A Rosette Ornament.

 

This is my first try using the Artise for rosettes and I think I like it.  I did notice that some of the white core from the topiary cardstock showed through but the dauber and ink took care of that quickly.

The rosette (two pieces) were cut out of the cardstock at 2".  Using my Martha Stewart score-board, I scored the tick marks and accordion folded both sections.  I think I may have assembled it wrong end to wrong end but it worked out okay! ;)

I circle punched the Pear and Partridge paper and backed it with a medallion (Artiste, page 31. Accent 4) was cut from cream cardstock and inked with topiary using the touch up dauber.

I used another circle cut out of the cream cardstock to feed the ribbon through and "sandwich" the rosette.  The ribbon also went through the center of the B&T paper and then tied in a small bow.  I may add some bling yet, too.

Thanks for stopping by.

DON'T FORGET about my giveaway!  I have to get to 100 followers (Facebook, blog, or both) before I can give away some product credit.  See the gadget below to sign up!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER Blog Hop

CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER

 Welcome to our Christmas in November Blog Hop where we are showcasing  the exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

 

It's hard to believe that it's already November and that Thanksgiving is less than a week away.  And well, that means, it's almost Christmas!   We have created Christmas themed projects for you and hope to inspire you to get started on YOUR Christmas creations.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - Love 2 Create.  If you came here from Carolyn's blog, Nuts4Scrappin, then you're in the right place!

 My project is ... POINSETTIA TAG

I found a similar project from a CTMH sister and expounded on it.  I like how this project makes a pretty realistic flower.  The snowflake is cut at three sizes (I used 3.5", 2.675, and 1.875 for mine - laid out in the Cricut Craft Room to make it look just right. See page 27 (<Snwflke2>) for the image I used.

The three layers are cut out of CTMH Hollyhock white core paper and then decorated using Ruby alcohol makers (darker hash marks with all over lighter marker coloring).  The sections are then embossed from the back to give them curl and dimension and assembled using foam squares.  Gems and similarly decorated leaves complete the flower. 

 Finally, I added a simple tag cut (also from the AP cartridge) and some ribbon.  All it needs is some calligraphy or stamped name and it will be ready to attach to the perfect Christmas gift.

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Tammy from C2MH.

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

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com  
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com
   
3. Diana ~ http://arlenescreativespace.blogspot.com  
4. Carolyn ~ http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com
5. Kindred Hearts ~ http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com
6. Tammy ~ http://c2mh.blogspot.com/  <<<< NEXT STOP
7. Arlene ~ http://arlenescreativespace.blogspot.com
8. Traci ~ http://www.papercrafting101.blogspot.com

"Scrapping Everyday Miracles" Guest Designer Post

My guest designer post at "Scrapping Everyday Miracles" is up.  I would love to get your feedback on my project!

Don't forget . . .

~ Giveaway underway... If I can get 100 followers on this blog or on my Facebook page (preferably both :) ) I will be giving away (3) $10 product credits!  See my "Giveaway" tab for the Rafflecopter gadget.

~ The November Stamp of the Month and CTMH Special can be found under the "Specials & Giveaways" tab.

~ Last Card Class of the year...  My last card class of the year will be on Saturday (2:30pm).

~ Last Craft Night of the year... Monday, Dec 3rd @ 6:30pm.

Thank you for stopping by!

Events, BIG GIveaway, Specials . . .

LOTS TO SHARE . . . here we go . . .

EVENTS:

(Notice this is also at the left and will be updated regularly.  Click either image to be taken to my Facebook Events page to join!)

BIG GIVEAWAY:

  100 FOLLOWERS GIVEAWAY (thru 12/15/12)

(The October Giveaway winner can be found below)
 
Now for the CURRENT giveaway . . . I'm getting ready to celebrate a milestone.  IF I can get to 100 Followers on Facebook or here on my blog, I will be giving away THREE (3) $10 product credits!  Share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  Lots of ways to enter . . . just see the Rafflecopter widget below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

SPECIALS:

 Capture the Date, Capture the Savings

Help those affected by Hurricane Sandy

To show our support of Red Cross relief efforts for those areas of the US severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, Close To My Heart will donate $1 for every Stamp of the Month set sold as a part of this promotion during November.

In celebration of our Stamp of the Month program, we’re throwing in a little something extra: a 50% off stamp set! In November, when you or your customers place an order of $50 or more in full retail products and purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can pick any stamp set* at 50% off!

Place a qualifying order and capture the savings today!  THIS may be the perfect time to get the Cricut Cartridge you've been wanting ...

Stamp of the Month - November

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.

November 2012: Capture the Date (S1211A)

Spend $50 and get this Stamp of the Month set for just $5.  Also - see the "Capture the Date, Capture the Savings" special above for even more savings.

 

ALSO . . .

I have a VERY busy month planned . . . vendor events, blog hops, and I'm also the featured designer on "Scrapping Everyday Miracles"!  See my intro here with more to come...

Thanks for stopping by.  See y'all soon.

DCWV Northridge Publishing Contest Entry & Giveaway WINNER!

I have just recently found DCWV and have fallen in love with their papers.  When I saw this contest, I was at a loss for what to create.  As you can see, I've been doing a lot of cards lately so that came to mind and I wanted to follow the "unique" description in the announcement.

I looked through my "Tattered Time" stack and came across a few ideas but in the end I made this card with one . . . yes, just one . . . 12" X 12" page.  Here is how it started.

I love the monochromatic look of it and the gears and metal clock pieces have a great shine to them.  The background was antique-y enough to work in the card I planned.

Here is everything I used to make the card and your first glimpse:

And a birds-eye view to show you the dimension I added with the "ladder card" cut and some pop-dots (actually, they were squares).

The sentiment was from the D1257 Make It Count CTMH stamp set as well as the "magic moments" and the numbers on the vertical sections.  I love how the set worked with the paper.  The bow was an afterthought but I like how it softens the look a little.  The card folds flat to fit into an envelope as well. (It doesn't make sense for me to make a card I can't give out.)


Here's a final straight on, close up view.  I hope you like it.

I haven't done a lot of challenges yet but each time I try, I push myself a little more.  (Note that I used another piece of Tattered Time paper as the background for my pics.  I love the dimension and "tattered" look especially!)

Please check back on Monday to see the updated Specials and Giveaways tab.

BTW - a winner has been announced for my October Giveaway . . . Congrats KIM!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by! 

The Artise in 3D Blog Hop

 Welcome to our The Artiste in 3D Blog Hop!  There are so many fun features  in our Artiste Cricut cartridge that we decided to showcase many of the 3D Objects

 

In this hop, you will see a variety of projects featuring the 3D Object key of the Artiste but don’t worry, you won’t need special glasses to see them!  (But we do hope our projects will “stand out” to you.)

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy's blog – Love 2 Create.   If you came from  Laura Wolff of Scrappinsweetie’s Escape then you are in the right place!

Here is my project . . . 3D Pumpkins three ways.

Every time I think of that it reminds me of Chopped and a mystery basket ingredient gone wrong.  But here is how I did each one.

Pumpkin #1 takes the Accent 1 [no shift] and Accent 1 [shift] shapes from page 78 of the Art Philosophy cartridge.  The slots fit together nicely.  The leaves are a bit of May Arts Ribbon I had and I sponged the edges with some Topiary ink.

Next, I thought I'd build on the idea and fill in the other four areas with some decoration.  I joined two of the long decorations to create a circle (twice) and attached them in a "+" shape on the bottom with a glue dot and overlapping at the top with a brad put through the Artiste "pumpkin leaf."  I really like how this one turned out.  It now lives on my daughter's teachers desk, however. :)

Close up on the details.

The third way is just using the "circles" from the second way and another leaf, this time with a gem brad.  It didn't work as well as I'd like but I thought they were cute all together.

Thanks for stopping by.  (Don't forget to stop at my "Giveaway" and "Specials Tab" above before you hop along.)


Your next stop on the Artiste in 3D blog hop is Theodora of Celebrate Crafts.

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2. Darla ~ Caution: Crafting is Contagious
3. Stephanie ~ The Quilted Scrapper
4. Wendy Kessler ~ My Scrapbooking Blog  
5. Laura Wolff- ~ Scrappinsweetie’s Escape
6. Kindred Hearts ~ That Makes Total Cents   <<<< You are here! 
7. Theodora Stacey ~ Celebrate Crafts   <<< Your next stop.
8. Priscilla ~ Priscilla’s Paperie
9. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy

Autumn with Art Philosophy

Welcome to our Autumn Art Philosophy Blog Hop!  Each month we are showcasing our amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

It's the time of year where leaves are changing colors, temperatures are dropping, the days are shorter, and the holidays are quickly approaching. This month we will be featuring projects with an Autumn theme made using the Art  Philosophy Cricut cartridge!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - Love 2 Create. If you came here from Rebecca's blog, then you're in the right place!

My project is ..."Thankful" Candle Votive

I've decided to use many images from the Art Philosophy cartridge in a unique way.  I love the recent trend of using found items to "spell" out words like names, etc.  This is called "Letter Art."   

My take on this trend was to take images from the cartridge . . . such as a house shape for an "N" and a key sitting vertically for the "L".  For this project, I did not stamp at all but EVERY shape is found in the Art Philosophy cartridge.  As I looked, I could have used many other shapes, done a hundred different words, and personalized it very specifically.

Here is the Cricut Craft Room file that I started with.  The blue box is my guide to make sure that the letters will fit.  I measured the votive and matched the box to my "printable size".  Of course, I deleted this layer before cutting.  NOTE:  The new layers function of the craft room would have allowed me to make each letter a different color and see even closer what it would look like assembled.

  Here is the small sections of vinyl being cut by Cricut.  Note that I was able to reduce the amount of waste significantly by laying out the letters and tiling the vinyl where they would cut.

And here they are cut out with the weeding done.  I then used transfer tape to adhere each letter starting from the lowest items (the house and key) and working my way up.  I left the most delicate (tree branches and the "f") for last so they had the most chance of being seen in their entirety.

Before I show you video "tour", here are a few images of the votive complete. 

I love how the following picture shows the shadows the vinyl casts on the paper.  I think a vignette of candles of different levels would be amazing on a mantle or dining table.

And finally, here is the video showing all the way around the candle:

While I was at it, I did a second version (not fall but pretty none the less).

 

It was much easier than I thought and the possibilities are endless.  I'm thinking of a couple of Japanese inspired ones for my living room, maybe some Christmas presents, and maybe looking for other things to vinyl...

Thank you for stopping by! (While you are hear, don't forget to check out my Giveaway!)

The next stop on your trail of falling leaves is Theodora.

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you "fall" off the path:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create 
2. Darla ~ Caution: Crafting is Contagious
   
3. Diana ~ Dianas Free Moments 
4. Stephanie ~ The Quilted Scrapper 
5. Amie ~ Mimi, Myself, and I
   
6. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking
7. Rebecca ~ Stamp and Scrap Studio
   
8. Kindred Hearts ~ It Makes Total Cents <<< You are here
   
9. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts
   
10. Arlene ~ Arlene's Creative Space
    
11. Amanda  ~ Scraps of Love
    
12. Priscilla ~ Priscilla's Paperie
    
13. Ginger ~ Ginger's Creative Cottage
    
14. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy

How does a BIG GIVEAWAY sound . . .

Whose up for a BIG GIVEAWAY . . . I am IF I can reach 100 followers (either on FB or here my Blog) by Dec. 1st.  

I'm thinking a few product credits and maybe even a few stamp sets as well???  I'll announce the final prize line up when I hit 80 LIKES!  Share this post to help my page grow.  

(Have you liked me on Facebook?  Share with your friends here!)

***Don't forget to come back to morrow for the "Autumn with Art Philosophy" blog hop.   I'll be give you a sneak peak at my craft night project . . . hint?  It includes vinyl! ***

Alcohol Markers "Clearly the Best" Episode

So much inspiration and information from CTMH in these web videos!  See all of the episodes here.

This one is regarding the *NEW* Alcohol Markers...Check it out.




Thanks for stopping by . . . I'll have another hop starting on Saturday!  See you then.

P.S. - Don't forget about the giveaway (Studio J layout or $10 product credit) and our specials!

ROCK 'N' ROLL Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to my first Technique Blog Hop!  We are featuring the "Rock 'n' Roll" technique on page 31 of the CTMH Idea Book.  This technique combines second generation stamping (loading the stamp with ink, stamping off once on scrap, and then stamping on the project resulting in a lighter version of the stamp) and a "rocking" method of loading the stamp.

I have established a few uses for this (and I'm sure there are more).  My result is very much watercolor-esk (yes, I made up that work) and I was able to make the bottom corner of the stamping lighter to allow the sentiment to show up much better.  There is also an added level of depth to the stamp.  Using any stamp, and not just a two level stamp like I have used, you can achieve two color depths out of the same stamp pad!

Here is my project . . . "Thinking of You" Card.

I have used the new Pear & Partridge paper (the back side of the partridge paper is a wonderful damask green and tan).  It works well as a background to the scalloped shape.  I love using paper for unexpected reasons! :)

Here is the steps I took to create the roses.

The bow is using some scraps of ribbon (sorry, I don't know what kind) that add texture and I also added a little bling.  A little unusual for me is the direction the card opens as well.

I hope you are inspired by my project and those that you have seen so far.  If you've come from Rachel's blog, you are at the end of the hop but if you haven't seen Wendy's project using this technique that should be your next stop.  If you get lost along the way, here is a list of all the hoppers.

 1. Wendy Kessler - http://MyScrapbookingBlog.com
2. Judy Faye Garner- http://judyfaye.blogspot.com
3.Tabitha Fritz- www.adhesiveaddict.com
4. Joy McHargue- www.studiowowjoy.com
5. Rachel Ventura www.happyscrappinsquad.com
6. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcent.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by!

REMINDER:  I have a giveaway going for the month and we have some great specials as well!