Making Gifts

This video has some great ideas for making gifts.

Making My Own Album

Well, it has been over a week since I have posted. So sorry about that. Things have been quite hectic and my paper crafting has had to take a back seat. I won't bore you with the details of my pipe bursting and my illness. Just know that things are looking up. I am feeling better- slowly but surely- and my bathroom will soon be back in use. Plus I am headed to a National Scrapbook Day crop with Scrapbook U tomorrow which makes me very happy.

I wanted to share with you my new album. Last year, I worked on a picture a day, creating a 365 day album. Granted I didn't get a picture everyday, but I did come close. And I am not finished putting that album together.  That project was a tough one to keep up on.

So, this year, I decided to have a picture of the week and make a project 52 album. I had ideas of taking a binder that I found at Michaels and adding pictures using many of the papers in the binder.  Well, I didn't like that. I tried different things and realized no-- I need a change.  I have been working on a page per week with one picture and a list of what we did that week. That has been looking really good. But I hated the look of the binder-- which is really funny since I loved it when I bought it last Christmas.  Time to change the look of the binder.

Here's the binder. I decided to cover it with the new For Always fabric.

Liquid Glass is a wonderful adhesive. I holds everything - even ribbons and fabric.

Next I added some of the For Always Paper Pack to the inside...

and the out.

I added a touch of black ribbon I had on hand to cover the line from the white printed paper to the black printed fabric.  Now I am really happy with my binder.

I have the first 10 weeks of the year in the binder and ready to work on more this weekend. I think I need to add some sort of title to the front. But I really like the look right now I hate to make any more changes.

Covering this binder was quick, easy, and fun. Give it a try and have fun with paper today.

Cricut Tips

Take a look at this video for more tips on using your Cricut.

I love all the things you can do using the Cricut and the Artiste Cricut Collection. Click here to order your own.

A Couple Cards with Claire Paper

I have been playing with the Claire Paper pack. They are all pretty quick and easy to put together.  The one above uses a flower cut with the Cricut Artiste cartridge.

Different size circles from leftover pieces of paper turned out to be a great look. I added a color ready wooden butterfly with some sparkles to finish the look.

This one uses Close To My Heart's April stamp of the month. I love that bird. I am getting a lot of use out of this stamp of the month.

Great images that coordinate with cuts from the Artiste cartridge. Order one today for just $5 when you spend $50.  Or you can get it free when you join CTMH.

Have fun with paper today!

Adding Fabric

It is always fun to add other dimensions to your craft. Try some fabric today and make a statement with your art.

Get April's Stamp of the Month Plus 3 More Free

I just love April's Stamp of the Month! And now you can get it for free! Plus 3 other stamp sets.

April is the month to sign up for Club CTMH (a new Consultant) because when you join the Close To My Heart family, you’ll receive the April, May, June, and July Stamp of the Month stamp sets for free! Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

*No additional shipping/handling or tax will be applied for the free stamp sets. Only new Consultants who sign up during the month of April will qualify for the free stamp sets. Offer valid April 1–30, 2013.

Join Club CTMH for just $49 plus tax and shipping. You get a great welcome package valued at $155. 

Plus the extra 4 stamp sets. Call me today at 510-207-2976 for more details. Or go here to sign up today. 

Projects on the Cricut

I hosted a beginning Cricut class this morning. At this hands on class, everyone made two projects learning to use the Cricut and the Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges.

We used the Artiste to make this purse. Go to page 41 of the Artiste booklet to find this cut.  Paper is the For Always. The stamp is from this month's stamp of the month and coordinates with the cut on page 51 of the Artiste. I used Hook and Loop Dots (item #Z1805) to close the purse and sparkles as an accent.

We used Art Philosophy to create this lovely card. The card is cut using the card on page 65 of the Art Philosophy booklet. It is a 5 1/2 inch card. The flowers are from page 39 of the booklet. The flower coordinates with the stamp set that comes with the Art Philosophy collection. I used the flower from the Claire Assortment as an accent.

Both cartridges are wonderful and filled with so many cuts. You can bring your paper crafting to a new level with these cartridges.

Get out your Cricut and have fun with paper today!

Mini Album Featuring Tommy Paper Pack

I made this little album highlighting my family's bay cruise on New Year's Day. I used as a base the Kraft Die Cut Cards (item #Z1474)

I used three cards and used that scalloped edge as part of the pages. These cards are 6x6 which makes a perfect size for  a mini album.

The Tommy paper pack with a few pieces from the Tommy Assortment embellishment pack were perfect for this album.

I used the Tiny Type Epoxy Alphabet for the title, the Hook and Loop Dots to close the album, and some ribbons to decorate the binder rings.

Grab some pictures and paper and make an album today. 

Last Cards From Crazy For Cards

My apologies for those waiting for my final post on Crazy For Cards. Early Easter morning before heading out, I quickly posted the cards and ran out the door. Well, I thought I posted. That post has disappeared into cyberspace. I guess I was in too much of a hurry. I apparently didn't save anything. That's what I get for rushing.

I have two cards designed by Jeanette Matthews. Jeanette loves playing with different card bases. She seldom uses the standard base. Instead she cuts different cards using the cricut.

This card was cut using the Artiste cartridge (page 53 of the Artiste guide). Paper is Chantilly and the stamp set is Fashionista.

Another card cut from the Artiste cartridge ( page 67 of the guide). The paper is Claire and the stamp set is Girl's Rock.

Make some of these cards yourself. Click here to find the paper or stamp set you would like.

I have now posted 14 of the 15 cards made at our Crazy For Cards Event. It was a fabulous event. So many ideas and a lot of fun. Our group will be hosting an All Day Crop on June 8. In preparation for the holiday season, we will be hosting a Holiday Extravaganza on October 12. Please let me know if you are interested in either of these.

In the meantime-- Have fun with paper today!