Luck o' the Irish!

It's time for another challenge over at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog - this month's challenge is to use green in your project.  For my project this month, I used vinyl and made a custom umbrella stand / flower bucket. (We live in a heavily Irish-Catholic area, so many of our neighbors would not limit the use of this to March!)

 

I cut all of my images using Make The Cut software.  I found a simple shamrock image to trace into the software, then did a search for an image using the terms "celtic knot border".  I found several borders, but many were too intricate for cutting from vinyl.  I chose this simple knot design, and after tracing it into the software, I resized it so the border along the top edge is wider than the border along the bottom edge.

A note for those of you new to working on 3-D items: when attaching a border on an object like this that widens, it will naturally want to curve rather than lay straight.  You can account for this in the software by using a Conical Warp, however I find it pretty simple on larger items like this to just adjust it manually.  For this design, I did have to make a couple of snips in the design to lay portions flat, but I find that easier than the measuring required to use the software feature.  For smaller items like mugs and cups, the Conical Warp is a MUST, and pretty easy to use.

That's it for today! I hope you enjoyed my project, and I hope you find some time to come play with us at Scrappy Frog's this month!

You're Sweet! Red andPink Challenge

It's time for a new monthly challenge over at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog, and this month's challenge is to make something with pink & red.  Of course, you can use other colors as well, and I added a healthy dose of green to my project.

Since the groundhog told us we'll be greeting Spring early this year, I'm already looking forward to my favorite part - when the strawberry patch starts coming back to life!

These cute little berries can each hold a candy or two (if you care to allow someone to rip into them), or you can make one larger berry to hold a small gift.  I am more likely to put this in my kitchen and threaten my kids with bodily harm if they mess with it!

It's all pretty easy to make; both items are cut with the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  My berry basket is actually part of an Easter basket on page 73 of the handbook; I just left the handle off.  I cut it using "Fit to Page", which the Cricut tells me is 2.25".  If you want a larger basket, you can find 12"x24" cardstock, which I'm guessing would allow a basket up to 4.5".  It's an easy fold & glue assembly.

The berries were only slightly trickier, but that's because I knowingly cut them far smaller than the recommended size in the book. (I am NOT good at following instructions, LOL.)  The berries and leaves are on page 72 in the handbook, and I cut them at 3" (recommended size is 6").  The smaller size made them a little more difficult to assemble, but I have seen people tie them shut which would probably be an easier option, especially for the smaller size.  I used some corduroy brads I had on hand and put it through the hole in the leaves first, then each flap of the berry.  I left the side seam open until the end so I could wiggle my fingers in there and open the brad.  I then used Liquid Glass to seal that seam.

The pink berries are made with paper from the Chantilly paper pack from Close To My Heart.  The red ones are made with Ruby cardstock (also CTMH), which I embossed with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  After embossing, I sanded off the raised dots (why I LOVE the white core CS) and sponged over them with Sweet Leaf ink.  I love the combination of both playful and realistic patterns.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'd love to hear your comments on today's project.

Try Something New!

It's time for another challenge from Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog!  This month, the theme is to try something new.  I think January is a great time to try something new - whether you got a new product for Christmas, or just want to spread your wings a little for the new year.

My personal challenge was some treat tubes.  I have wanted to do something with tubes for a while, but I have to admit that I have been a little intimidated & unsure what to do with them so I never bought any. But then Close To My Heart came out with this promotion for National Papercrafting Month, so the timing was right to try some. Here's how mine turned out:

What I liked about these is that they didn't come with instructions, but there were several sample pictures for inspiration.  I didn't even feel the need to copy any of them, so that was great! I even found some yummy "cherry lovers" heart shaped jelly beans to fill them.  Here are some more pictures:

The little boxes came pre-cut & scored, I just stamped on them before I put them together.

I used Liquid Glass for most of the assembly, plus Glue Dots for adhering things to the tubes, and foam tape.

The glitter paper was easy to cut with the Cricut and scissors, and I also used Glitz glitter gel for more bling.

So, I hope my project inspired you to try something new too!  Be sure to go link up your project at Scrappy Frog's so we can see what you tried. For more info on the promo kit I used to make my project, just read on...

Whooo's Your Valentine (shameless self promotion!)
In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, we’re offering a new product, available through January — our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit! This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product. The kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver,gray, or black glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit! Perfect for gifts and classroom projects, the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit will make Valentine’s Day a cinch!

You can see everything here on my website.  And FYI, I had a lot of paper left over from making my tubes. Can't wait to make more glittery projects with my leftovers!

If you've never shopped with CTMH before and need some ideas of what to buy for $35, there are lots of options to use with the kit and beyond. 

I used ink pads in Ruby, Hollyhock, and Blush, plus Slate for my neutral (Black would be cool also).  Other good additions are the adhesives I mentioned: Liquid Glass, Glue Dots, and 3-D Foam Tape.  

That's it for today; thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Tag It Challenge

Today begins a new challenge month at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog.  This month's challenge is to use a tag.

I made a 5x7 card that I thought might be fun for Mother's Day.  I used the following supplies from Close To My Heart in my card:

• Stella paper pack
• Friendship Bouquet, May 2012 stamp of the month
• Durables round studs
• White cardstock for card base

I also used these other supplies:

• Copic markers
• ATG adhesive

That's it for today!  If you'd like to play along, be sure to head over to Scrappy Frog's. Thanks for stopping by; hope to see you again soon!

Shape It Up! Challenge with Scrappy Frog

Sorry I'm late getting this up today, I've had a busy weekend! This month's challenge at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog is Shape It Up! (shaped cards).

I made two cards for this challenge, both using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge collection exclusive to Close To My Heart.  Did you know that this cartridge has 100 card cuts on it?  They make it super easy to make interesting cards.   The first card I made is the one on the right:

This card was made using cuts on page 24 of the Art Philosophy handbook and papers from the Florentine line.  I cut the base Card at 5.5" from the Garden Green CS, and the Decorative Layer at 5.5" from the light allover pattern.  I cut the Dragnfly at 4.25" from the medallion paper, and the Layer at 4.25" from the allover Twilight (blue) pattern.  I adhered only the body of the dragonfly to the Decorative Layer cut, and put 3-D foam tape under the wings.  I used Patina Stickles around the dragonfly and let it dry.  Nice & easy!

This card was made with cuts from page 32 of the Art Philosophy handbook, and papers from the Stella line.  I'm sorry I forgot to record the sizes I cut this at, but it's easy to figure out sizes using test cuts on some cheap or ugly paper, or by using you Gypsy or Cricut Craft Room to adjust the sizes of the layers.  I cut the card base from Sunset CS.  I cut the Oval2 from the red/orange pattern paper, and the Decorative Layer from Tulip CS, both at the same size, and adhered everything.  I cut the Layer from Sunset CS and adhered it using 3-d Foam Tape.  I added a few Opaques Pearls and that was it - a quick & elegant card.

If you want more information on what is included on the cartridge or in the entire collection, please let me know!  If you'd like to buy Art Philosophy, I'd LOVE to have you as my customer.  You can either shop online here, or email me to set up an online gathering where you can earn hostess rewards on any order of at least $150.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope to see you again soon.

I'm Seeing Spots! A Challenge from Scrappy Frog

It's time again for a monthly challenge from Scrappy Frog! This month's theme is "Seeing Spots", so it's super easy to play along. Here's my inspiration for you:

Sorry for the poor colors in this photo; the weather has not been cooperating here lately!  (Which I have just remedied by buying one of those little photo studios - yay!)  I started with a 5"x7" kraft card base and my Cricut, and the rest of the products this time are all from Close to My Heart. I used the following:

• Typeset paper pack
• Stitched Together stamp set, C1459
• Vintage Type stamp set, D1481
• Ink Pads in Cocoa, Twilight, and Vineyard Berry
• Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (you can use any cartridge with a circle on it!)

This was easy peasy - I just cut several circles at 1.25" from random scraps of paper.  I stamped the circle stitching in Cocoa, then adhered them to the card front.  Next, I stamped over the rows of circles with one of the stitched line stamps, also in Cocoa.  I used the alpha border stamp from Vintage Type and stamped along the edge of the card in Twilight.  Finally, I used the alpha stamps from Vintage Type to create the sentiment "You Rock" and stamped it in Vineyard Berry. Now I have a perfect card for one of my kids for the upcoming ISAT testing here in Illinois - just a little encouragement to get them through!

Don't forget to head on over to Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog and link up your spotty project!

Before I go today, I wanted to share a sweet deal on that Art Philosophy Cricut collection.  Close To My Heart has a great special this month if you decide to join our consultant family: you get your cartridge collection (OR $100 of other product) free. I'm also offering a special bonus all year long to anyone who joins my team - I'm not allowed to share the details here, so be sure to email me if you want to know the details!  No need to worry about huge minimum sales requirements, either - Close To My Heart makes it easy for even a hobbyist to stay on board.  Be sure to contact me to get full details, and then I would love for you to join my team - we are currently dotted across the country from Illinois to Hawaii and there's always room for one more!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'd love for you to become a follower or email subscriber while you're here!

Die Cut Challenge

This month's challenge over at Scrappy Frog's is to use die cuts - how easy is that?!  Uou can make any project you want, so I chose to catch up on my scrapping a little and made a 2 page layout.

 

I used my Cricut Expression along with the Art Philosophy cartridge to create my cuts.  Using the Gypsy (or you could use CCR or Design Studio), I welded two borders to the right length, then I used the same border and welded two, top & bottom, to a rectangle to create my journaling box.

 The title is also cut from the same cartridge, but I hand cut the floral images.  They were stamped, cut out, and rolled, popped up, etc. for dimension.  (You can see how to make the rose in my previous post here.)  Then I added embellishments to the centers for more dimension & interest.

All of my supplies for this one are from Close To My Heart:

• Pemberly Workshop on the Go (includes the embellishments)
• Card Word Puzzle stamp set
• Outdoor Denim stamp pad
• Kraft cardstock
• Pacifica cardstock
• micro-tip scissors
• 3-D Foam Adhesive Tape

Thanks for checking me out today! Be sure to stop over at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog and take a few minutes to join the challenge.

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Birthday Challenge

Welcome to day #1 of Blog Candy Week here at Saving My...  Be sure to see the previous post for details and rules.  You could win big!

Today is the beginning of the Birthday challenge over at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog!  There is a new challenge every three weeks, and there are prizes.  Here is my DT entry for this theme:

I made this card for my mother's birthday a couple of weeks ago, and have been waiting to share it with you today for the challenge.  My card is based on a sketch from Sketch Support - I stuck pretty closely to the sketch for this one, only changing one paper to a ribbon.

The card base is from DCWV; the ribbon is from my stash; cardstock, ink, and stamps from Close To My Heart; and pattern papers and pins are from the Making Memories Chloe's Closet line.  I think the pins make great candle wicks/flames!  I simply pierced them through at the top of the candles, taped them down on the backside, then covered the entire inside top of the card with another piece of cardstock to hide all of the pin ends.

Now, be sure to head over to Scrappy Frog's and see what the other DT members have to inspire you!

New Design Team! And a Winner!

I'm happy to announce that I am a new DT member for the Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog! This is a fun little challenge blog with prizes, so be sure to check it out and become a follower.  Most challenges are things you are probably going to do anyway, so it's a great opportunity to share your creations and maybe win a prize.

The challenge for May1 is Anything Goes (yay!) - the perfect challenge for me to jump in with.  I decided to share a layout I created recently using a sketch pattern.  As usual, my journaling is not in place yet, but it will go over the blue striped area on the far left.

 

I can't believe I made a layout with NO embellishments!  I only used paper.  I just didn't want to overwhelm the pictures and that cute paper, so I kept it simple.  The sketch design for this layout came from the Cherish book by Jeanette Lynton. The nice thing about this type of sketch is that she includes measurements if you want to follow along exactly, as I did here. OR, you can change things  up, like make the circles stars or hearts, change the sizes of things to fit your pictures, etc.  It just takes a little more work on your part!

My title and circles were all cut with the Cricut, except the animal circles.  I wanted to "fussy cut" them so I had an entire animal in each one, so I took the additional time and used a 2" circle punch.  My paper happens to be discontinued, but there are a lot of similar styles out there if you're looking for something like it.

I would like to point out that the baby in these pictures is now 6 years old.  Because I have SO many pictures to scrap, I live by my sketches!  They really speed things up considerably.  If you're looking for some awesome sketch books, my 2 favorite series are those from Jeanette Lynton (Close To My Heart) and the books from Scrapbook Generation (check out their books & free sketches at Sketch Support and let Allison know I sent you!).

Those of you looking for the blog candy winner from my Royal Wedding post are in luck!  I've had random.org choose a number, and the winner is Debican!  Debi, you have 48 hours to contact me, or I will have to pick an alternate winner - I'm off to try and contact you now.  Thanks for playing everyone!