Spring, Happy Spring! - Seasonal Blog Hop

Welcome back to •MAKE•IT•Crafty• Blog Hop.  This time around we are sharing all things inspired by Spring!   It seems winter here really hit hard in February so hopefully it's on its way out and the warmer weather is coming! There are some great products in the Seasonal Expression that surely will put a hop in your crafting!

If you've arrived from Sheena's blog, you're on the right path! Remember, the blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around. Get lost, not to worry as you'll find the complete list here.

Do you have a card stash? Or do you simply make cards as you need them? I stumbled across a Pinterest board chalked full of card ideas ... and I was off to create! 

First off, I had to re-create this one which is featured in the Seasonal Expressions catalog.  I love this stamp set - Stuck on You & coordinating Thin Cuts.  For the most part, they are the same but I tweaked it with a piece of Pear cardstock. I used the stitch guide to pierce the White Daisy cardstock all the way around. The cactus and flower images are water colored and the pots are stamped.  Too cute! 

The next two are also using a new stamp set & coordinating Thin Cuts - Springtime Wishes. This one is great because you can build clusters of floral arrangements or just use a few single images.

The first one is rather simple with a few pieces of Zoe pattern paper, a sentiment and flower/foliage stamped, thin cut and water colored.  The second is a floral wreath made up of various thin cut images all colored with Prismacolor pencils and blurred with Taltine odorless solvent. I haven't played with these for quite some time. And, then stamped with a sentiment. 

Finally, I decided to also make a few 3x3 cards as well. Here, I used a few different stamps sets, paper and ink to create fun little cards. 

And, that's a wrap! Thank you for stopping by ... now it's time to head on over to Diane's blog to see her artwork! Be sure to visit again in May for our next one! 

SUPPLIES

Papers: Zoe (X7197B), Whisper, Glacier, Pomegranate, Peacock, Goldrush, Pear, White

Stamp: Stuck on You (C1643), Springtime Wishes (C1641), Ink Blot (D1660), Wish (M1051), Feel Better (M1123), XOXO (M1054), Doodled Designs (A1170), Brushstrokes (C1608)

Ink: Archival Black, Slate, Smoothie, Topiary, Cashmere, Whisper, Gypsy, Thistle, Eggplant, Black, Glacier, Lagoon, Peacock, Goldrush, Fern, Pomegranate 

Thin Cuts: Stuck on You (Z3200), Springtime Wishes (Z3201)

Other: Cricut Art Philosophy, Watercolour Paints (Z3132), Paintbrush Set (Z3188), Stitch Guide (Z1852), Foam Mat (Z1859), card bases, Prismacolor pencils, Taltine odorless solvent

Make It Crafty - Seasonal Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome back to another year of •MAKE•IT•Crafty• Blog Hop! This month we will be featuring Fall creations, such as Thanksgiving and/or Halloween.

If you've arrived from Pam's blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around. Get lost, not to worry as you'll find the complete list here.

Autumn has always been my FAVE ... it's really the best season! First of all, who doesn't love fall festivities? Aside from getting back to routine, the season for me begins with apple picking, then Thanksgiving and of course Halloween. These are great times to spend with family & friends and enjoy delicious eats & drinks paired with making memories. Second, it's such a beautiful time with the colors changing.  It's like seeing a wide spectrum of color with the reds, bright oranges, yellows, greens and purples. It's worth a walk in the woods while enjoying the cool crisp air.  Finally, if you {heart} football ... well then it may be your number one reason to love this time of year! So whatever your WHY is for loving fall, I hope you enjoy this month's blog hop as we share creations to inspire you for the season!

For my project, I thought I would create a Halloween layout. It seems it's one of the few moments that I typically don't scrapbook. I think I just find rather difficult ... so I thought I would challenge myself using the Nevermore collection. It's such a pretty color palette that includes black, eggplant, pear, slate, sunset and whisper.  I find it rather unique! I kept the layout simple, which makes it easy to re-create.

I really like the gray as a neutral paired with a pop of color from the eggplant, which is one of the new colors in the Enchantment collection ... in case you didn't know. Oh, the stripes are simply cut from one of the patterned papers.  And, love how the burst of orange just adds that hint of traditional Halloween color.

I have a LOVE for pennants, if you remember! To add some interest, I cut out pennants and then covered them with the Sunset Chevron washi tape, which is still available here.  I didn't have the Nevermore Complements so I opted to use the stamp set Magic Potions, which coordinates with the Cricut Artiste cartridge. While I was prepping the word labels, I also cut a spider web on black cardstock to layer and add dimension on the left page. Naturally, to finish each embellishment cluster, I added a few of the Nevermore Assortment. Oh so cute! And, couldn't forget the journaling box on the right! It all came together quite nicely, don't you think? 

Well, thanks again for following along today! I hope you've enjoyed all the fabulous artwork. Now it's time to head on over to Emma's blog and take a peek.  Be sure to visit each Consultant at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas! And, remember to come on back early November and look for our next Blog Hop where we will feature Holiday/Christmas projects. See you soon! 

SUPPLIES

Papers: Nevermore (X7198B), White & Black

Ink: Thistle, Slate & Black

Stamp: Magic Potions (C1509) 

Other: Nevermore Assortment (Z3083), Sunset Chevron washi tape (Z2005), 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cricut Artiste (Z3170)

Halloween & Fall Creations - Seasonal Blog Hop

Ghostly Greetings! Ok, I'm back after a way too long hiatus, again!! So, welcome to the •MAKE•IT•Crafty• Seasonal Blog Hop! If you just hopped onto my blog, you can start here and work your way around as this hop is circular. If you arrived from Natalie's blog {Scrappy Sassy Studios}, then you are on the right path. And, don't worry if you get lost, you'll find the complete list of participating Close to my Heart consultants HERE.  

This month we are showcasing Halloween/Fall projects.  All of the artwork is using Close to my Heart products from the Annual Inspirations catalog.  Hope you are inspired to create something SPOOKTACULAR!

Anyways, it seems the last days of summer are finally here.  The temperature has dipped noticeably, the wind is stronger, and the most visual indication of the changing of seasons, the light is fading.  As summer gradually gives over to autumn, it's not going down without a fight. But despite the changes, fall is by far my favourite time of year! I just LOVE the freshness in the air, the red, yellow, orange and brown and all the hues in-between, the smell of all things pumpkin, and of course the oversized sweaters ... don't you?

OK, enough about my love of the season ... onto the craftiness, right! For this Hop, I created two cards. First up, a 'just a note to say thanks!' card.

It's really quite simple. I used the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge along with the Cricut Craft Room to weld the tree & cut it on white cardstock. From there, I embossed a piece of kraft cardstock using the woodgrain embossing folder, which was placed behind the tree. I punched several leaves from the Pathfinding paper packet. I then laid out all the leaves for visual placement, that's key! Once the leaves were all adhered down, I stamped the sentiment. Now, it's time to place it onto the card base. The new thin 3-D foam tape was perfect for this. And, voila! Ok, I admit ... I just love how it all came together.

And, here's the second one, a 'happy halloween' card.

I typically don't create cards for Halloween, do you?  But lately, I have been inspired by all the crafty goodness from various new releases, blogs, and Pinterest, ofcourse! Without a doubt, Scaredy Cat is the perfect paper packet!  I tend to create from the top layers down, if that makes sense? The pumpkins were die cut from pattern paper followed by measuring & cutting all the other layers. I also distressed all the edges of the black cardstock, which may be hard to see in the photo. Again, I lay it all together before adhering it. I am such a visual thinker! Then, it's onto assembly. I popped up the pumpkins with 3-D foam tape on the pattern paper, to start. But wait, before I adhered this layer, I felt something was missing. It just needed a bit of contrast between the two pattern papers. Can you see the chevron pattern peeking through? Well, it's actually the new Sunset Chevron Washi Tape adhered to a piece of kraft cardstock. Brilliant! Ok, now it's safe to finish assembling the layers.  Then, add a few buttons, hemp cord, a sentiment and of course cute twine bows on each of the pumpkins. Phew, it's complete!

Well, now it's time to hop on over to Dominique's blog {FUN2CRE8}. Thanks so much for following along today! Be sure to come on back for the next Blog Hop featuring 'FA LA LA LA' Christmas/Winter projects.

Happy Haunting!

SUPPLIES
Card #1:

Papers: Pathfinding B&T (CTMH), White Daisy & Kraft cardstock (CTMH)

Stamps: A Friend Like You (B1410, retired)

Ink: Chocolate

Other: Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Thin 3-D foam tape (Z2060), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Z1996), Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Cricut Expression/Cricut Craft Room, & Martha Stewart Crafts punch, Rose Leaf. 

Card #2:

Papers: Scaredy Cat B&T (CTMH), Colonial White, Black & Kraft cardstock (CTMH)

Stamps: Frightfully Fun (B1453)

Ink: Chocolate

Other: Sunset Chevron Washi Tape (Z2005), Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060), 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151), Designer Buttons, Wooden (retired), natural twine (The Twinery), Hemp Cord, Zots clear adhesive dots & MFT Dienamics, Primitive Pumpkins.

CTMH NEW PRODUCT BLOG HOP ROUND #2 - {Hope your Birthday's as Sweet as You}

Have you had the chance to peek at the new CTMH Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book yet? Are you looking for inspiration?

Well, I am excited again to be participating in the CTMH New Product Blog Hop. Join me and other CTMH consultants as we share our creations with new product from the Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog. Welcome & enjoy!

A few weeks ago I hosted an Open House Launch Party to showcase some of the new products. Plus, there was yummy drinks & eats, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me!  And, who doesn't love to make somethin' {pretty}?  Well, we always create one make n' take or sometimes two, which I share with you here.  But this time around, I decided to wait and share it during this hop!

As Balloon Ride is my fave paper packet, I could not resist to grab a sheet of pattern paper to create with. I then added two strips of solid cardstock, sunset and chocolate, both stamped with background stamps for added dimension.  And last, the extra decorative strip along each sheet of pattern paper is perfect for this project!  To add a bit of flair, I cut each strip at either end and slightly layered each at different heights.  The strips are mounted on a sheet of solid cardstock and then adhered on the card base.  Add a sentiment on a piece of cardstock, pop it up with 3-D foam tape and voilà!!

Thanks for stopping in!  Now, hop on over to check out the other fabulous artwork (March 3th - 8th).

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Balloon Ride B&T, Sunset, Chocolate & Champagne cardstock

Stamps: CTMH Distressed Backgrounds (D1544), Cricut Artiste Collection Birthday (D1529)

Ink: Cocoa

Other: Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), 3-D foam tape (Z1151), corner rounder (Z1912)

3x3 Card Set with Mini Gift Box

Popping in with a quick Hello! It seems this month there has been a lot of hustle & bustle ... lots of appointments, CTMH New Product Blog Hop, Neeje Association Crop, Valentine's Day & hosting an Open House Launch Party for CTMH's new Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Anyways, I {heart} 3x3 cards! Why you ask? Well, it's so simple to whip up a batch, great for using scrap paper & of course fabulous for gift giving.  A lot of my inspiration comes from Vicki Wizniuk over at Wizard's Hangout. She is the {queen} of 3x3 cards, in my opinion! And, can't forget Pinterest too. Well, it's a little late but I thought I would share this valentine gift set I created for the Neeje Association Crop make n' take. 

Such a cute box filled with six 3x3 cards. The bow was cut using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge & the box was cut and scored from a sheet of cardstock. Here's the instructions for the mini box (note: search 'Mini Pizza Box' for tutorials):

Cardstock for the box should be cut to 5 1/4" x 9 1/2.  Assembled box will measure approx. 3 3/8" square x 1" high.

Score the shorter distance at 1", 4 1/4" 5 1/4" and 8 1/2" (9 1/2" across top of score board)

Score the longer distance at 1" on each side, left & right (5 1/4" across top of score board)

Cut each 1" line across the longer distance on each side, left & right (total of 8 cuts)

Fold score lines to make it more "flexible." 

Adhere with adhesive.

For the Belly Band, cardstock should be cut to 1 7/8" x 10" and scored the short distance at 1", 2 1/8", 5 1/2" and 6 5/8".

And, I love that I could make the cards {girly} with pinks, reds & grays, which doesn't happen often with a household of boys.  

Thanks for stopping by. 

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Slate, Blush, Hollyhock, Cranberry& White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: Whooo's Your Valentine (retired)

Ink: Slate, Hollyhock, Cranberry & White Daisy 

Embellishments: Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799) & 

Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Mini Scoring Board (MS), 1 1/4" circle punch (CTMH), 3/4" circle punch (SU), 3-D foam tape (Z1151), corner rounder (Z1912) & Scor-Tape.

Holidays from the Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to the Holidays from the Heart Blog Hop! New this year, Close to my Heart is featuring Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide showcasing {FABULOUS} new products!  It's an adorable 24 page mini catalog chocked full of holiday paper, stamps, and FAB gift giving projects ... plus a sneak peek preview of a few new products found in the 2014 Spring/Summer Idea Book.  And, it's LIVE today ... so be sure to check it out on my website HERE.  So, thanks for joining me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and paper crafting projects with these NEW products.  Hope you enjoy!

Beginning today at 9am MST, choose a festive, new product FREE this holiday season with your qualifying order!  When you place an order of $100 or more (retail price) between October 15 and December 15 from the Holiday from the Heart Gift Guide and/or the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea book, you qualify for one FREE star item from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide.  You'll {LOVE} the sparkle, the ease, and the savings! Receive one FREE 'star' item for each $100 in your order.  You can join my 'Holiday from the Heart' gathering to shop found HERE!  

Several items in the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide are only available while supplies last, so be sure to place orders for your favorites early! "While supplies last" products include:

• Sparkle & Shine Assortment (Z1860)
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907)
• Workshops on the Go® Sparkle & Shine Scrapbooking Kit (G1071)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bag Kit (Z1913)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bags (Z1914)
• Sparkle Holiday Shapes (Z1910)
• Party Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1908)
• My Creations® Hip Pics Album Kit (Z1915)

Ok, lovin' all the new products ... but the Sparkle & Shine paper has my {heart}! Featured colours are Juniper, Ruby, Slate, Sparkle & Shine Silver, Whisper and White Daisy.  As I had a home gathering to showcase the new Holiday Gift Guide this past weekend, I thought I would create a layout with my FAVE paper!  My inspiration search on Pinterest led me to this sketch ... 

And, here's my layout ... 

Isn't the Sparkle n' Shine paper so pretty! Love how it turned out, don't you? Still need to choose the photos ... so will add a title later most likely with letters cut out of Juniper cardstock. 

My Cricut Expression has been finicky lately ... so the snowflakes are die-cut. Then heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder which gives them a {pretty} shine.  And used a 3/4" circle punch for the circles.

Yet, I did manage to cut the holly leaves with the CTMH Art Philosophy cricut cartridge and stamped the coordinating image from the A Holiday stamp set.  

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Sparkle & Shine, CTMH Whisper, Slate & White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: A Holiday (A1115)

Ink: Whisper

Other: CTMH White Detail Embossing Powder (Z821), Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534), CTMH Art Philosophy, MFT Let It Snowflake Die-namics, & 3/4" circle punch

Want to see more? Simply click on any of the thumbnail links below to visit the blogs of other CTMH consultants who are participating in this hop and see their {fabulous} artwork! Thanks again for hopping on by and enjoy viewing all the projects! 

This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group.

Teaser Time - Day 4 & 5!

Well, it's with all good intentions to post each day ... but life just got in the way of blogging! So, welcome to the fourth & fifth day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Wow, lots to chat about today ... let's get started!

Do you have a box of odds and ends that are sentimental to you but really don't know what to do with? I know I do! It's an old metal box with a few pictures from my childhood, foreign currency, ticket stubs and more.  It's all special things I really don't want to part with but really not anything I'd want to make as a layout.  Simply said , little memories matter! Well, CTMH knows most of us have a little box, envelope or drawer of these things and has come up with a way for us to preserve these small memories in one place: My Crush.

My Crush Modville & My Crush Bluebird

My Crush books give you a safe place to quickly hold the precious everyday memorabilia while life is happening. Grab a glue stick, some tape or a paperclip and attach your little things on the printed pages of these handy-size books. It's a way to capture your memories on the go.  It's a memory keeping system that's fast, easy and convenient. Find it. Crush it. LOVE it!

OK, moving on ... Are you ready to show off your creativity everywhere you go? Then, how about Base & Bling - wearable crafting projects? 

Base & Bling - Cuff, Hair Clips, Rings, Headband, Necklace or Fabric Necklace Kit

You will {love} dressing up these affordable, lightweight fashion accessories with our textiles and specially designed Base & Bling adhesive-backed jewels and accents - so simple and quick, you'll want to make several items in different colours. Make your fashion statement!

And, now the {BEST} for last! Take your papercrafting to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut cartridge collection - Artbooking!

With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size.  No more guessing!  Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats and more! And, you'll love creating 10 themed mini books.  Celebrate birthdays, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas and more!  

Well, hope you've enjoyed all the sneak peeks over the last few days!  Be sure to check back tomorrow to join me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and papercrafting projects with new products from the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.  It's sure to inspire your creative mojo!