The Right Tools Make the Difference

Note that the velvet rub ons mentioned as available only while supplies last. If you are interested click on shop box right away.

Santa Card

Here's a fun Santa Card. I did a little coloring using the new alcohol markers. When coloring in be sure to use an archival ink or pigment ink for the outline. The dye ink pads will bleed in with the ink from the markers.

Supplies:
Christmas Cheer stamp set (D1494)
Pear and Partridge paper pack (X7162B)
White Daisy Die Cut Cards (Z1473)
Archival Black Ink (44751)
Cranberry Marker set (Z2419)
Stardust Glitter Gel (Z1313)

Have fun with paper today!

Garden Layout

I know I should be posting layouts about Christmas or at least Thanksgiving. But I finished a garden layout and wanted to share.

Yes, I am in the wrong season. Here in sunny Northern California, we could be working in our garden. Actually I really need to since the extra percipitation has brought a lot of weeds to my yard.

This is a layout from last spring when one of my Girl Scouts designed and put in place a garden at our local elementary school as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. I used the Pemberley paper pack which is one of my favorites. 

Supplies:
Pemberley Paper Pack (X7148B)
Bitty Opaques Pearls (Z1707)
Garden Wooden Shapes (Z1718)

Have fun with paper today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a beautiful card from Allisa Chilton. Check out her blog here.

Quick Christmas Card

Here's a quick Christmas card using scraps:

I used cocoa paper with leftovers of the Pear and Partridge paper pack. Of course I needed to throw in my favorite burlap ribbon and some sparkles. Nice and quick.

Counting Our Blessings

Yes, I spend way too much time on Pinterest. I love looking at different ideas. I am sure I will use every idea someday-- right? Doesn't everyone think that? So when I actually use an idea I find on Pintrest, I am really excited.

I saw a blessing jar and loved it immediately! The pin brought me  here. What a wonderful tradition. Plus the challenge this week in the Heart 2 Heart challenge is Gratefulness. Everything seemed to be pointing me to making this project.

I set out to create my family's own blessings jar. I ended up with a BIG one. I used an old fashion, one gallon mason jar.

 I used some leaves that I had cut using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge that I had left over from another project to make a stream of leaves.  I cut "Blessings" out also using the Cricut and attached it to the Burlap ribbon.  Very simple and quick to put together. I thought about adding a ribbon to the top, but I really like the look of the metal hinge.

I made it on Monday. Since then , each night at dinner we all write down something for which we are thankful.  I really thought the kids would object-- after all they are teenagers. But no. They got into it. We discussed things that might be a blessing. Little ones like enchiladas for dinner or big ones like our family and our love. We talked about being thankful for everything because not everyone is as blessed as we are with such an amazing family. The kids understood and embraced the idea of counting our blessings. When setting the table they put a slip of paper and a pen by each place setting. True it has only been 3 days. It is a start. Will there be any fuss when at Thanksgiving Dinner, we ask all the cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents to add their blessings into the jar? All should be well. It will be a challenge to get everyone, but we will try.

Just a few of our blessing so far.

The plan is to keep this up until the first Sunday of Advent, adding a blessing every night. I told the kids that when the Advent candles hit the table, we will take off the jar. I do like Marty's idea of having the blessings jar out all year -- adding to it whenever you think of it. That is something I will consider.

I am already thinking about the layout I will do for this -- using Flirty paper and burlap ribbon which if you read this blog regularly you know are my favorites for this season.

I'm thinking my blessing tonight will be paper, ink, and pictures!






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Making Cards and Envelopes With the Cricut

Have a lot of fun with paper using the Cricut making

30 Days of Gratitude

While looking at other blogs, I found this great post.

Michelle Battitori is working on a wonderful little book showing daily in November for what she is thankful. She takes a photo daily and then writes about it. What a wonderful mini book and perfect for Thanksgiving month.

The mini book is made simply from card stock. Instructions for a quick and easy mini book can be found on Vicki Wizniuk's blog.

Make something today to show how thankful you are while having fun with paper.

Spirit Week Layout Using Scholastic Paper

I thought this was a great way to show off the different costumes of spirit week.

Supplies:
Scholastic Paper Pack (X7159B)
Colonial White paper
Scholastic My Stickease Assortment (X7159C)
Approved Stamp Set (C1521)
Token Alphabet Stamp Set (E1020)
Trinity Alphabet Stamp Set (E1921)
Outdoor Demin Ink
Cricut Artiste Collection
Toothpick (that's the flag pole!)

Dye Ink vs. Pigment Ink

Here's a video to show the difference between dye and pigment ink.

Now, go get ink all over those fingers.

Pumpkin Page Using Flirty Paper

I have mentioned before how much I love the Flirty paper pack. I am not a big fan of the raspberry paper. I need to admit that. And I don't usually like orange. But this orange I LOVE. I have used it on so many things-- pages, cards, gifts,.. The New England Ivy print also goes with everything.






I have finished another page using this paper pack.

This paper is perfect for my pumpkin patch photos.  I tend to work in one page layouts. Even though I take a ton of photos, I make it work with one page since this page will go in my 2012 album which is part of a 365 project. I might add a second page if I am doing a layout on an entire week. The rules of my 365 project album is at least 1 picture every day and no more than one page per day. Often I have 4-5 days on one page.

Since I had to keep all these wonderful pictures on just one page, I added a mini book to the page.

This is simply a 12x12 piece of New England Ivy card stock cut in 4 inch strips and scored at 3 3/4 inches. I folded accordion style, attaching the  next strip at the little piece at the end (make sure you use a strong adhesive for this).  Sometimes, when making a book like this, I have photos on both side so it will pull up from the page like an accordion. This one I glued the backs together to make it into a little book. I added wallet size photos into the booklet and added all my journaling here.

The decoration at the bottom is the So Grateful stamp. Yes, I have posted this before. I mentioned that it is a favorite for me. I seem to want to use it everywhere. The burlap is two strips of the burlap ribbon. The strip of paper down the center hides the seem.


Supplies:

Flirty Paper Pack X7160B
So Grateful stamp set B1395
Burlap Ribbon Z1760
Waxy Flax Chocolate Z1088
bamboo paper
Autumn Terracotta ink
New England Ivy Ink
3-D foam tape

For those of you who are paying attention--yes, only 2 of my 3 kids are here. One had too many other things going on to come with us. Oh, the life of a teenager.

Have fun with paper today!

Advent Calendar

I spent a fabulous weekend crafting with friends at Scrapbook U Creates weekend retreat.  Monica and Veronica offer wonderful and relaxing retreats. Check out their schedule at http://www.scrapbooku.com/class_descriptions.html. I spent the weekend working on a couple big projects, scrapbook layouts, and a few cards. Mostly, I spent the time talking and laughing with my friends. That was the part that made this weekend amazing for me. Friendships like these are a gift.

Taking a weekend away from the family and home responsibilities is difficult but well worth it. I returned home last night relaxed, happy, accomplished. I feel I can be a better mother, wife, and all around human being because I am no longer ready to snap. I truly recommend that we all take a little time away and regroup. Not sure about a whole weekend just yet, try just a day crop. Do get away and take time for yourself.

I am very happy to report that while I was relaxing I was productive. I completed the Advent Calendar offered as a kit through Close To My Heart.

The kit includes the cubby, a stamp set, 15 sheets of yardstick, a package of bitty sparkles, 2 sheets of dimensional elements, and an instruction booklet.

You do need to have ink, blocks, and adhesive which you probably have on hand already. You will also need the Cricut Artiste Collection. This cartridge cuts the card stock to make the boxes.  Also you might want a bone folder to make your folds crisp and tweezers to help place those teeny, tiny sparkles.

It took me about 3-4 hours to complete this project. I was talking with friends quite a bit though. I did it in one sitting which was fine since I was at the retreat. However, working at home, I would have probably broken up the project.

I followed the kit exactly. Doing it again, I might make a few changes. I think it needs more red. Personal preference, yes. But I like red. I think I would add a couple more cranberry boxes.

I had trouble getting my numbers centered. I am always crooked. If my project is completely straight, I had help from a friend. I tend to do things to compensate for my crookedness in crafting. I might try cutting out the shape of the number on the Cricut. Each shape is on the Artiste with the dimensions listed on the stamp sheet. Then I can stamp the number on the shape and glue it on to the box. I can make the center a different color than the box which might add a little more dimension.

Even with my thoughts of changes, I love this calendar. I'm looking forward to finding little treasures to put inside for my kids. December is getting close.

If you would like one of these kits, just click here for an online order.

Now that I have made one of these, I have the instructions for making more. After I have finished with my Christmas creations, I am planning to make another one of these but not as a calendar. I will order another cubby --  just the cubby, not the kit. Then choose papers to match my craft room. I am going to make a little cubby to store embellishments. It will sit on my desk and have easy access to buttons, brads, ribbons, or whatever I was to keep right in front of me.

Hope you have fun with paper today!

November Stamp of the Month

Capture the Date, Capture the Savings!

 

 

 

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 November, you’ll get something extra when you buy the Stamp of the Month—50% off another stamp set! When you qualify for and buy the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, you’ll receive another stamp set* of your choice for 50% off—it’s like two promotions in one! The versatile Capture the Date stamp set is great for any layout, card, invitation, or calendar, and now you can choose another stamp set at half-off for more wonderful papercrafting. Get Capture the Date and then capture the savings today!

 

 

 

* Offer valid for A-E and M size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go^®, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

 

Dates: Offer valid November 1–30, 2012

 

Order today by giving me a call or clicking here to order on line.