Happy New Year!

As your stamp collection grows look for new ways to combine stamps that creates a brand new look and sends a special message.
I've used stamps from 4 different sets to create this card. I knew I wanted to use the "from our house to yours" stamp, I knew I wanted the card to say "happy new year" and I knew these cards are going in the mail so my embellishing had to lay flat but still give dimension.
All of this was accomplished by using the flourish stamp from the Victory WOTG set stamped second generation with Whisper Ink. The house from the Enjoy set C1496 was stamped next with Ruby Ink. Then I stamped the Happy New Year from the Say It With Style set D1283 in black. The red polka-a-dot ribbon stamp is from one of the stamp sets included with the CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge (these come in handy for lots of projects!)
My embellishments are piece of Tulle Ribbon Z1798 and a strip of Silver Glitter CS from the new Whooo's Your Valentine kit.
So from our house to yours we wish you a very happy 2013!

Wishing You...

a very Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.

 The sparkle you see on the edges of this card and around the scallop circle is the NEW! Glitter Cardstock. I've mounted a small strip behind the blue scallops on the top and bottom edges behind the punched border. I stamped the Peace on Earth stamp on white cardstock and used the scallop circle punch. Then I used the same scallop punch and punched a circle from the glitter cardstock. To mount them on top of each other I used glue dots. 

The glitter cardstock is available with the new Whooo's Your Valentine? kit that is available for only $10 when you make a $35 purchase. See my website for details. To cut the glitter cardstock with our Cricut just place the glitter side down on the mat for smooth cutting.

Heritage scrapbooks

Sometimes just one old family photo tells a story by itself and the moment that was captured is so special the photo needs to be the focal point of your layout.

When you're working on your Heritage pages remember to do some handwritten journaling. I've used several elements to create this page. The photo mount is a journaling tag. The title is a sticker. The journaling paper is from the CTMH Scholastic paperpack and the backgound paper is from the La Belle Vie paperpack. I used the stripe ribbon and bling gems to dress up the page.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Remember the 3D tree from day 5 of my 12 days of Christmas papercrafts? Well when I trimmed the rectangles to make the tree, I saved the scraps! Now I've put them together to make a card! Decorate the tree with a star, some dots of Green Glitter Glitz Gel, a piece of tetextured Cocoa Ribbon then stamp a sentiment and you're done!
The next photo shows you a fool-proof way to line up the triangles so you don't even see the seam!

Use the grids on the Versa-mat and the see through ruler to find the exact middle of the card base. Apply adhesive to one triangle and place next to the edge of the ruler. Move the ruler away and place the 2nd triangle next to the first.

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 12....
maybe most important of all is scrapbooking our memories!

25 years ago when I took these photos I wasn't scrapbooking. I have looked through old photo albums and choosen special photos for scrapbooking. These are just regular family pictures but the memories they hold are very special. Since I wanted to include so many photos I didn't do much embellishing. The journaling is typed then cut into the shapes by using the center point feature on the Cricut. This is really easy to do so if you haven't tried it yet you should! See the next picture for my tips on using this technique.

For perfect cut shapes that center your text just use the ruler markings on the cutting mat.
First decide how big the shape needs to be cut.
Now find the center of the 1st line of text and line it up with the center marking on the mat.
Next count the lines of text to determine which line is in the middle. Now you have the center point of the shape.
Just move the cutting blade to line up with this point, be sure you turn on the Center Point button and cut.
 I hope you've enjoyed my 12 days of Christmas papercrafting. I still have more ideas I plan to share during December so be sure to come back again!

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 11...

This petty package is a gift card holder! And you're going to be surprised at how easy it is to create.
Using the Cricut Artiste cartridge and the L key cut the Card shape 4.75". Next cut the bow using the G key and the Accent 3 feature 1.5".
Tips: Be sure to score the card holder with a bone folder. Use red tacky tape to adhere the center pocket. Put the bow together with glue dots. Adhere a bling gem with Liquid Glass.
Scroll down to see a picture of the card holder open.

patty's 12 days of Christmas

day 10.....
tree garland!

This is the second year I've made tree garland and I love it! It's a little too soon to put up the tree so I've hung a bit of the garland on some poster board to photograph for you. 
The stockings are cut from some of last year's Christmas papers with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I cut the stockings at 2.5" and they are spaced about 4" apart on the red and white stipe bakers twine.
I can't wait to hang this garland on our tree!
There are lots of Cricut Christmas shapes so you could make a garland with Christmas Trees, Stars, Ornaments, or mix them all up! 

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 9....
The Gable Box!

This is one of my favorite 3D items on the Cricut Artiste cartridge! These boxes can be filled with a small gift, like jewelery! or they can hold a gift card! or maybe you want to fill yours with chocolate kisses! Or make them in different sizes to create a Christmas village of houses and shops -  just add doors and windows!
The box you see above was cut with the fit to page feature and the finished size is 2.5" tall, 2" wide and 4.75 inches long.
Score the box on the folds and sponge all of the edges. My box is cut from Kraft CS and sponged with Chocolate ink. The photo below shows you how to get started. 

And if you don't have the Cricut Artiste cartridge yet there's still time to order and receive it by Christmas! As a "Thank You" for placing your order with me I'll send you a FREE mini stamp set valued at $3.95

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 8.....

 Tags are one of my favorite things to make! I was going for a fancy vintage style tag when I made this one. Layering and stamping all add dimension to your tag. The base is plain Cocoa CS and you can write your "to and from" on the back side of the tag with the new Chalk Marker (Z1767 2.95). The front edge of the Cocoa base was stamped using the Flourish strip stamp from the Eclectic Edges stamp set (C1450) with Cocoa ink. 
The next layer is the stripe paper from the Moonlight paper pack. The edges of these 2 layers are sponged with Cocoa.
The top layer of the tag is Cashmere CS stamped with the music notes stamp from the Universal Backgrounds (D1477) stamp set using Cashmere ink. The edges are sponged with Cashmere ink. 
I've applied a rub-on from the Pear & Partridge compliments. CTMH has a great new Rub-On Tool that makes it so easy to apply the rub-on (Z1976).   
Merry Christmas is stamped in Cocoa ink. The base of the tag is wrapped with the Cocoa satin gathered ribbon. The medallion is punched from one of the Pear & Partridge papers. A gold shimmer brad holds the ribbon loop on the top of the tag.
Tags are also great to use on your scrapbook pages to dress up a layout or fill in an empty space.
This is tag #4 on the Art Philosophy cartridge cut at 4.5, 4.25 and 4".

patty's 12 days of Christmas

day 7.....
Love never melts

This stamp set is so cute and I love the sentiment. The snowman images also fit perfectly on the Cricut Swing Cards. I've used silver embossing for the snowflakes and the sentiment.

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 6...

These are a couple of quick ideas that re-purpose empty glass jars. 
The flower vase is a Starbucks bottle wrapped with burlap ribbon, grossgrain ribbon & hemp. I used tombow tape runner to hold the burlap to the jar.
The candy cane jar is an empty spice bottle that turned out to be the perfect size for 12 candy canes! I've edge punched a piece of card stock and wrapped it around the jar then layered a strip of stripe paper on top. Just add the ribbon and hemp and the jar is finished!

patty's 12 days of Christmas

day 5...

 This 3-D tree is made from one sheet of the B&T paper in the Pear & Partridge pack. The sparkle on the top of the tree is a bling gem stuck on a pin clip. I also tied a little bit of metallic thread around the pin. 
To make this tree cut 6 rectangles 4" x 5.5". Fold each rectangle in half and score. Trim each folded rectangle into a triangle. Sponge the edges of the triangles with New England Ivy ink. Adhere the folded triangles together with a little liquid glue, be sure to add the pin clip inside before gluing the last triangle in place. I decorated this tree with bitty sparkles from the tan sparkles collection since there is a bit of gold in the paper.

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 4....

 The stamps used to make this card are from the Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit. Background stamping with script sentiments adds interest to your card and fills boring white space. The woodgrain paper is from the Dakota paperpack.
Tomorrow's post will feature the paper from the Pear & Partridge Kit, but it won't be a card! So come back tomorrow to see what I've created!
Workshop on the Go Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit G1043 includes papers, stamp set, instruction guide, exclusive red sparkles & tan ribbon. $29.95

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 3...

 Peach on Earth
I hope you've enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving.
This card has the Glory to God stamp set and Cocoa ink stamped on a piece of lightly sanded Creme Brulee CS. Almond Glitz gel has been used on the stars and Bronze Glitz gel is used on the path under the camels. To finish the card just sponge the edges with Cocoa ink and add some bakers twine.

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 2...

All of the pieces on this card have been scissor distressed, then inked on the edges. 
The brown print background paper is from the Scholastic paper pack.
I've used the Christmas Love stamp set to stamp the tree and sentiment. The Dec 25 calendar page is stamped with the Capture the Date stamp of the month.

patty's 12 days of Christmas...

day 1...

This simple card makes a big impact. The silver shimmer tape is the perfect embellishment.
Stamp set used is Christmas Love D1492. Silver Shimmer Tape Z1799 $4.95 for 5 yards.
Tomorrow's post will feature another card with this same stamp set, combined with the Nov Stamp of the Month for a completely different look!

Happy Thanksgiving

I've used the beautiful Florentine papers to make this Thanksgiving card. 
The leaves behind the medallion are cut on the Cricut with the Art Philosophy cartridge. 
I dry embossed the veins with a stylus for texture. 

give thanks....

Thanksgiving is my favorite family holiday.
I've made this banner to decorate my cubical at work.
Everything you see has been cut with the Cricut using the Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges.
I kept this banner simple, just adding the tan sparkles to each shape and knotting the ribbon between each shape.

Halloween Banners with Cricut Artiste!

To create a really cool Halloween banner all you need is a few supplies and just one key on the CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge. All of these words and images were cut with the Eek! key.
Check back later to see what I put together. And don't forget about the Spellbound Cricut WOTG to create everything for your Halloween entertaining.

Life is Unforgettable - Studio J Express

This Studio J layout is created with the new Studio J Express Layouts. It's so easy and so fun to create with Studio J and now it's even quicker! (click on the picture above to see this layout full screen.)

Places we've been can hold as many memories as the people we were with. The photos I've used in this layout are not anything special but they remind me of a place and of people I will always remember.  

So get started now! Take a look through the 6 new Studio J Express Collections - find a layout with colors that go with your photos - download the photos - you can leave the default title or you can edit the text in the title & on the tags if you want to. Next add your journaling - then decide if you want to add embellishments. I decided  to embellish with the photo hanger and ribbon and the photo clips. I also applied the Sepia filter to the 3 small photos in the layout on the right and I was finished! 

There is also a Black & White filter option. 
And remember, photo wells can be converted to text if you want to do more journaling.

You can purchase a Studio J jpg for only $2.95 & it's perfect to email to family & friends or post on social media. You can also print the jpgs on your own printer or at your local photo printing place.
There is no software to download and no cost to set up an account to try it out! And Studio J is also a great design tool! Visit my website now and see just how much fun it is!

La Belle Vie - The Good Life!

To make this layout I followed the Throwing a Curve pattern in the new Make It From Your Heart pattern book. The pink shape and the word Sisters were cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge. I used the La Belle Vie paper pack and also the Jardin Flair stamp set. The pocket on the right will hold a journaling tag. There is a stripe paper in the pack that is perfect for journaling on. The pocket for the tag is tied with waxy flax. The printed strip across the lower part of the layout is one of the La Belle Vie zip strips. These papers work great with black & white photos.
Supplies used:
9035    Make It From Your Heart
G1048  La Belle Vie WOTG
D1528  Jardin Stamp Set
Z1798  Black Tulle Ribbon
Z1089  Black Waxy Flax
Z2147  Smokey Plum Ink
Z1686  Art Philosophy Collection

New Alcohol Markers How To Video!

This is a quick video that gives great tips about the new Close to My Heart Alcohol Markers: Tips Included:

• Stamp the image you are going to color with Pigment Ink
• Start with the lightest color and color the entire image
• Use a second color and color from the center outward
• Use a third color and color just the center of the image for intensity
• Work with a blotter or Versamat under your image
• Work quickly so you can complete your coloring before the ink dries
• When finished store your marker flat

Happy Birthday! Cricut Style!

Everything you see on this card was cut with the new CTMH Exclusive Cricut Artiste cartridge! AND! the stamped image is one of the stamps included in the Artiste Cricut Collection! This card was so much fun to make and so quick! I can't wait to send it to someone special!

It's Your Day -look at my mini photo journal!

I decided to have some fun with one of the new Fall paper packs, Scholastic, the It's Your Day stamp set & the new Cricut Artiste Cartridge. 

The base pages and the grid liners are all cut with the Artiste cartridge. (cut the grid liners 1/4 smaller than the base pages)

Each page is stamped with a different stamp from the It's Your Day stamp set that is available 8/15/12 to 9/30/12. 

This is a double stamp set - you get 2 D size stamp sets in this special collection to celebrate National Stamping Month!

Stamped Journal Pages - tabs are made with Color Ready Ribbon tinted with Barn Red re-inker. Attach the ribbon to the base page with red tacky tape then put the grid liner on top for a nice finish.

The journal is tied together with hemp. If you use a pencil, you can tie the hemp securely & the pages will open flat so you can add your pictures and notes.

 Many of these images are designed so you can cut the shapes on your Cricut then just stamp & add to your project! What could be easier or more fun!

Baroque Borders & La Belle Vie!

For this card I've used papers from the new La Belle Vie paperpack;the August Stamp of the Month, Baroque Borders; and ribbon and epoxy bubbles from the Avonlea Cardmaking Workshop kit. The scroll corner stamp is stamped directly on the background paper with cocoa ink. The plume is stamped with Versamark on another one of the La Belle Vie papers and clear embossed then cut out.
So have fun mixing and matching kits and see what you can create!
 

NEW! How to book - Only $7.95

Make It From Your Heart® Volume 1

This softbound, affordable how-to publication features 16 two-page layout patterns, 2 single-page patterns, as well as 12 different card patterns. Inspired by Jeanette Lynton's Let Me Show You How® philosophy, this publication highlights all-new artwork, technique ideas, and color palettes, conveniently bound in one volume for easy reference.

New Autumn / Winter Idea Book! See it here!

You are going to love the NEW Idea Book & Catalog and all of the great NEW products!
See it now!

Cricut Artiste Collection! - CTMH Exclusive!

Look what's new! A brand new Cricut Cartridge, ARTISTE! being offered exclusively by Close to My Heart with 3 coordinating stamps sets and 3 coordinating chip board sets! But the best news is all of the new 3-D boxes! Coffins for Halloween! Cupcake Holders in several styles! Gift Boxes! Pop Up cards with matching envelopes & their own gift boxes! An alphabet! Mini Albums! Banners in all new shapes! and so much more! Go to my
website NOW to purchase your cartridge!

Puttin' on the Glitz!

I wanted to keep this layout simple and let the photo speak for itself. The golden Creme' Brulee' paper from the Footloose paper pack was a perfect match to the setting sun on the beach sand. The journaling has been done with the cork alphabet. To make it all sparkle I applied Bronze Glitz over the cork! tip: To apply stick on letters for your journaling use a see thru ruler as a guide. (scroll down to next photo)

Products used are all Close to My Heart:

Z1483 Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel

Z1450 Cork Alphabet

Z1705 Durables Square Studs

Z1088 Chocolate Waxy Flax

Z1387 Wooden Buttons

X1715B Footloose Paper Pack (only available until 7/31/12)

You've taken the photos, now keep the memories..

with Studio J!

Digital scrapbooking is even faster and easier now with 6 new Express Collections that are fully embellished and finished. All you do is drag & drop your photos, then add a title and journaling! (click on the photo above for a full screen view of this layout)
What you see here is a jpg file I purchased for only $2.95. With this purchase you receive both a large size file for self printing and a web size file for sharing on social media. Visit my website now for all the Studio J details & let me know if you have any questions I can help with. (click on the photo for a full screen view)

July SOM - Live Out Loud

I want to send a card to a special friend today and decided this sentiment from the July Stamp of the Month was perfect stamped right on one of my favorite papers from the Florentine paperpack.
tip: when you layer papers it's nice to sand and/or sponge the edges so the layers look like they belong together.
The edges of the Cocoa CS are sanded to blend into the card base. The edges of the B&T are sponged to blend into the Cocoa CS. The July SOM available through 7/31/12 & is only $5 with your $50 order.

Birthday Party Favors with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

 These french fry party favor boxes are so fun and quick to make with your Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge! To cut 2 boxes from each sheet of paper cut at 8.5 inches.
Superheros are so popular with kids right now and the CTMH Superhero papers are perfect! I've made 12 of these boxes for my 4 year old nephew's birthday party next week. I used the zip strip on the front of the box for an embellishment and stamped hero with the Vintage Type stamp set.
tip: attach the zip strip with small glue dots.

Father's Day & your Cricut!

All you need to create this card is some paper from the Pemberley Paper Pack and your Close to My Heart Exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge for cutting the banners and the Fleur de lis.The Outdoor Denim background has been cut to fit the card front and lightly sanded for texture. All of the shapes have been sponged with Desert Sand ink.The center strip is one of the zip strips! I love using these!
If I didn't have to mail this card I would add some Mocha Pearls to the Fleur de lis, lucky for me my dad isn't a fancy guy!

Key Moments stamp set

 The sentiment in this stamp set could be used for many different occasions. I like this stamp set because you have the option of using the sentiment inside the watch circle or using the clock face stamp. If you use the clock face on the outside of your card you can use the sentiment inside. The stamps for the clock hands can also be used to create a border. The stamped watch would also make a great element for a scrapbook page in your Heritage scrapbook. There are 2 key stamps included in this set and the words LOVE and FOREVER, a total of 10 stamps. TIP: use the grid on your Versamat to center the sentiment inside the watch circle and stamp them together.




I have used one of the zip strips from the Sonoma
papers to create the border on the left side of this 
card and a piece of cocoa satin ribbon. 
Products used:
B1392 Key Moments stamp set
X7143B Sonoma Paper Pack
Z1316 Cocoa Ribbon Collection

Born to Ride!

This stamp has all the elements you'll need to make a great card for a special guy or to scrapbook all those fun shots you captured on your last adventure.
The Born To Ride banner was stamped and cut out. TIP:  To avoid the white edges that are left after cutting out the banner ink the narrow end of the sponge so it's easier to sponge all the inside edges and grooves.
This stamp set C1483 Born to Ride has another banner, wings, a cool star in a circle and an Easy Rider stamp too.

Life is a Journey

I like this stamp set for lots of reasons, 1) it has a sentiment, 2) it has images that can be used together or separately, 3) it can be used for both cards and scrapbook pages, 4) the price - only $6.95!
Here you see a card I've made but this could easily be used on a scrapbook page in place of a photo on your layout.
The footprint stamps can also be used as a border on a scrapbook page.
The pine trees could be used on a holiday card, as a border, or a stamped element on a scrapbook page.

















A Journey A1127 $6.95

Just one stamp! Watch this quick video!

May SOM - Friendship Bouquet

I just couldn't resist using this pretty Sunflower Yellow cardstock as the base for this card. I stamped the flower image in Garden Green ink and I sponged the center of the stamp with Cocoa ink. I used the Blending Pen to color the petals of the flower. After  the flower was cut out I used the Bronze Glitz to add the sparkle to the center. The sunflower is mounted on the card with 3 large glue dots so the edges of the petals are not laying flat, giving the card a little dimension.  
The May Stamp of the Month is available until 5/31/12 is is only $5 with your purchase of $50.
Blending Pen (Item 2174) $3.98
Bronze Glitz (Z1483) $2.75 

Cardmaking Tip

Sometimes when we are making a card the leftover papers we want to use are not quite big enough to cover the card base. But follow this tip you will be able to use the small leftovers and still create a great looking card.

First you need to find a pretty piece of ribbon that coordinates with your papers. Now, place your papers on the card base as shown in the first photo. Then add 3 tiny pieces of the red tacky tape to the space between the papers. Next apply the ribbon to cover the space where the papers didn't meet. In the second photo you can see what a nice look this gives your card. When you mount the card sentiment be sure you use glue dots, they will stick best to the ribbon.