Better Late than Never

I apologize...here we are at the end of the month of August, and it just now dawned on me that I never posted our Stamp of the Month swap picture!  Better late than never...

Baroque Borders - #S1208:  Spend just $50 and get this stamp set for only $5!

For those of you who took advantage of the Stamp of the Month (Baroque Borders) in August, I hope you find these cards inspirational as you create your own artwork with this elegant stamp set.

Click on the above image to enlarge and see more detail.

Last of the Shoebox Swap cards...

Last but not least...

Victoria Cox's card using the Avonlea paper and the stamp set from the Avonlea WOTG kit:

by adding a strip of the Silver Shimmer Trim, gives the card some elegant flair.  The Avonlea paper contains 3 trending colors - Avonlea Off-White, Avonlea Teal, and Avonlea Green...exclusive to the Avonlea paper pack.

Finally, a gift card holder (cut from the Artiste cartridge) using some of the new colors (Slate, Whisper, Champagne and Cashmere) by Cathlene Burk.

Cathlene's card uses several images from the new Artiste cartridge, and the "happy birthday" sentiment is from one of three stamp sets that come in the Artiste Collection.  The medallion and sash is cut from the Artiste cartridge.  Different embellishments were used to add some bling to the gift card holder.

Clementine cards

These two cards both use the Clementine papers and they are both so different...again, showing the versatility of the papers.
The first, designed by Kimberly Deines, using the Quick Cards-Bountiful Season stamp and inspired by the card on page 85 of the Autumn 2012 Idea Book:

We first embossed the image (without the sentiment) onto the Colonial White cardstock, then used the Almond Glitz Glitter Gel over the embossed image to "color in" the leaf.  The new Burlap Ribbon is a great embellishment for this card...I think it's an easy go-to ribbon for any of the new paper packs!  I cheated making my stitched lines around the border of the card...I used a chocolate marker, but the stitching on Kimberly's card using a needle & the Neutral Embroidery Floss was a nice touch!

Next, Francine Terzian's card using the Perfect Fit-Frames stamp set:

I have used the Perfect Fit-Frames stamp set on several occasions now...and what I like most about it is how the center circle image has so many different options!  Here we used an image from the Salutation Seals stamp set...others include Perfect Fit-Halloween or Perfect Fit-Holidays just to name a few.

The ribbon is our Color Ready Seam Binding ribbon, dyed to match the Twilight color used in the card.  I use this ribbon all the time, when I need a custom colored ribbon (or in it's original colonial white color!) to coordinate with a card or scrapbook page.

Casual Expressions and Dakota

I have to say...this card speaks volumes to me...I LOVE IT!  I'm a country girl at heart, so I'm loving just about everything I see using the new Dakota paper packet.  I plan to use lots of this paper making those ever so challenging masculine cards...this one is perfect to get me started, created by Anne-Marie Pitcock:

 Anne-Marie used the Casual Expressions stamp set and the Dakota papers.  The Durable Studs (in Round or Square) are the perfect embellishment for this paper too!  I love the dimension of the stars...and it's easy to do.  These stars were cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, then scored down the center of each of the points.  Gently fold the paper on each score line (ink distressing the score lines as you go) and the center of the star becomes raised.  Place a piece of 3-D foam tape under the center of the star and the stars have a 3-D look to them and give dimension to your card.

Have you put any products on your MUST HAVE list, as I share our shoebox swap artwork?  If so, contact me, I'm happy to place an order for you at any time!

La Belle Vie cards

Today, I'll show you two more cards from our shoebox swap, each brings a different look to the La Belle Vie paper.

First, a card designed by Donna Petrie, using the Cup of Cheer stamp set:

I love all the layering Donna used in her artwork.  We used a masking technique and sponging to color in the coffee pot, cup and saucer...lots of work making the original templates to do this technique, but overall worth the effort in the end.  Donna added a bit of bling using Clear Sparkles, and Bitty Opaque Pearl Gems.

Second, a card designed by Vicki Price, using the Jardin stamp set:

Vicki created an elegant victorian themed card.  Using the Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Bling Assortment, and the Flutter Paper Shapes together, pulls off the look she was going for.

CTMH Cricut Artiste Easy Instruction

I finally had a chance to play with the Artiste Cricut cartridge during an overnight scrapbooking retreat I hosted with some friends.  We had lots of laughs during one incident when a friend was using the cartridge, and making a skeleton like the one in the video...and without going into the details of what happened...this video will bring that memory back for some of us! LOL

Check out this Easy Instruction video created by CTMH for use of the New Artiste Cricut Cartridge:

Having watched this video sooner, we wouldn't have made the mistake we made creating Tammy's skeleton...but then we wouldn't have the memory of the belly laughter either!  Good times with good friends!

Now...I'm off to create some 3-D artwork using the Artiste Cricut cartridge...enjoy your Saturday!

Back to School

Being a former school teacher, Randa Wacaster designed this card for our shoebox swap:

Randa used the School Is Here stamp set and the Scholastic paper packet.  The "spiral notebook" look of the grid paper was cut using the "U" key on the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  Using the primary colors in Cranberry, Honey and Outdoor Denim brings a pop to the neutral colored base.  Having the school bus and the letter "B"(cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge) popped from the card, and using Mocha Opaques Gems gives the simple card some dimension.

Moonlight Medallion Card

Here's a card, designed by Peggy Hembree, that also uses the Moonlight paper packet, and the end result of her card looks nothing of fall or Halloween...just goes to show the versatility of the paper packets in the CTMH line.

Peggy's card has a feminine touch by using the Die-Cut cards as the base, and adding a floral image from the Words of Comfort stamp set.  The inside of the card (not pictured) uses the sentiment "tough times are what friends are for" from the Words of Comfort set.  The floral image on the center is stamped onto a Wooden Badge Button, and adding a bit of sparkle the center of the flower using a clear bitty sparkle.  In the lower right corner, the new Black & Grey Assortment sparkles were used.

Halloween Creepy Creatures

A couple weeks ago, we had a team overnight retreat and one of our projects was our semi-annual shoebox swap.  What's a shoebox swap?  Each consultant participating creates a card (and supplies all pre-cut pieces and embellishments) using new papers and new stamp images to showcase the new product in the new catalog, and then we create all the cards!  This round we had 12 people participating...and the artwork was beautiful!

This swap is a free-for-all...I never assign stamp sets or paper packs and we've rarely had any duplications.  This round, we had 3 different Halloween ideas, so I thought I would start by sharing them...just in case you wanted to get a jump start on making your cards.

This was my card...using the Creepy Creatures stamp set, and the Moonlight paper packet. I stamped the vampire off the edge of the paper in black ink, and popped the portion of his cape (stamping on a scrap piece, cutting it out and adhering it to the card).  The bat, I stamped multiple times without re-inking to give the illusion of movement.  I also used black button brads in the sentiment banner.  The ribbon is the new Black Tulle Ribbon, tied in knot and adhered with a glue dot.

This card by Jodi Frank, she took the idea directly from the catalog on page 58.  It's a good reminder...the catalog is a GREAT source for ideas too!  It uses the same stamp set and paper pack as mentioned earlier.  The stars were cut from the Cricut cartridge (Art Philosophy), and layered.  Unfortunately, we had to hand cut the skeleton! LOL

Lastly, this card was designed by LeAnne Dudley.  She used the stamp set from the Moonlight WOTG kit, and the Magic Potions stamp set.  The Artiste Cricut cartridge works with all the images in the Magic Potions stamp set...bonus!  LeAnne also used the Black Tulle Ribbon and a jewel from the Haunted Assortment.  Notice the spider dangling on the right side of the card?

Saturday YouTube VIDEO

Many of us are busy...so I wanted to offer you a chance to take a quick break from your weekend routine, and get those creative juices flowing.  I have elected every Saturday to be a day that I post a video from the many offered by Close To My Heart on their YouTube channel.  Make sure you check back regularly to watch them all!   Enjoy!

Today's video is one on Home Decor, including the NEW Advent Calendar and Scroll Album Workshops on the Go:

Stars Shine Bright

The theme of our Convention was "Stars Shine Bright", so this layout's title fits the occasion. One last layout to share, from our Create & Take classes during Convention:

Using the NEW Clementine papers (the opposite side of the same piece from in the previous post).  The NEW Cashmere Cardstock as the base pages, the same exclusive Convention stamp set, the NEW Harvest Assortment Bakers Twine, and the NEW Antiqued Gold Mini Medley accent collection...just love all the flourishes, clips, and buttons!

PS.  Photos on layouts COMING SOON! LOL

Boot Stompin' Fun

Here's another layout we created at Convention:

Using the NEW Clementine papers,  NEW Champagne cardstock and the NEW Noted Canvas Shapes and NEW Just Blooms Floret Paper Shapes. The stamp set was exclusive to those who attended Convention...I love it!  I can't wait to get pictures on these pages...I just haven't gotten that far yet.

Catalog Celebration

It's August 1st...and you know what that means! Our NEW Autumn/Winter Idea Book goes live!  What you'll see inside is AMAZING!!!

Over the weekend, I had my Catalog Celebration...introducing the new catalog and some of the new products found inside.  What fun we had!  I always like to have lots of new artwork to show, but this year, with the quick turn around from Convention, my schedule just didn't allow for it.  But I was able to make everyone a quick snack, and jazzed it up with an image from our new Cricut Cartridge, Artiste.  It's got SO MUCH new images, specializing in 3-D artwork...you just gotta have it!

I made a dozen of these, and didn't think of taking a picture of the entire plate...Ugh!  Wish I did, they all looked so cute!  And they were a huge hit at my party!  The cupcake liners were cut on the Cricut, using the Artiste cartridge.  The papers are the new Flirty!  The Flirty paper pack is so bright and vibrant, yet perfect for fall!  Love it!  The "sweet treats" and polka dot frame come from two NEW stamp sets - Perfect Fit-Halloween, and Perfect Fit-Frames.  I know these sets are going to be used alot.

I always have a MakeNTake project...this year, I tried to have something for everyone...scrappers and card makers alike.  Here's the card we created:

Using the NEW Moonlight papers...not specific to Halloween, they are perfect for autumn too!  Also used the NEW stamp set, Creepy Creatures. 

And the 1-page layout we created:

Using the NEW Avonlea paper...love these papers!  I tried to incorporate lots of new product without going over the top.  We used the NEW Burlap ribbon, the NEW Slate Satin Polka Dot ribbon, and the August Stamp of the Month for the flourishes.  I also included one of our 6 new colors, Slate (grey).  

If you noticed, this layout is the same layout I used in a previous post (the one with the bee's) ...I just changed the papers I used to create it.  I got some great feedback from both projects.