Christmas Layout using Sonoma

Here is the design I made for my team swap using Sonoma. I used the "Oh Holy Night" scrapbook page from the Idea Book (page 83) and matched it with the Quartet: Offset pattern from Reflections. It's kept me pretty busy to make so many but now I can concentrate on my Christmas Card Workshop and Scrapbook Workshop (using Typeset) in September. I am updating my Calendar with dates for the next few months so make sure you check your calendar too - I have lots of great papers and embellishments to show you!

Simple Birthday card

Here is a simple Birthday card I whipped up last minute when my husband reminded me about a birthday party Sunday afternoon and I didn't. Thankfully, my craft room is well stocked for this kind of emergency and much to my husband's surprise, I took the time to make two.

I used White Daisy and Pacifica cardstock and Hollyhock, Goldrush and Pear inks with the Fanfare WOTG and Birthday Card Chatter stampsets.

Roxy Foxy

Close to My Heart is taking a decisive step to being more trendy and what is more trendy than zebra print paper?! Waaaayyy out of my comfort zone, I decided to embrace the challenge and this is what I came up with:

A little goes a long way but the new 6 x 6 die cut kraft cards and envelopes are so easy to use and embellish to design something fantastic! Since I didn't have my cartridge when I did this card, I used the heart stamp from "Unity" and cut it out then just adhered it with the stamped side down.

Gift boxes made from Art Philosophy cartridge

Here are two examples of gift boxes I made from the Art Philosophy cartridge:

 This is a pillow box I made using Kraft paper. I cut the box out at "Fit to Page" to make it as big as possible. I used the December Stamp of the Month: Mad About You" which is compatible with Art Philosophy (which means don't cut something out by hand until you've double checked the stamp carrier sheet for more information!!! Learn from my mistakes.... I cut all of these out by hand and all of them are on the cartridge!) I also stamped Juniper cardstock with Juniper ink with an image from the stamp set to make the band that goes around the box. I used Sorbet ink to make the hearts and bamboo and chocolate ink on Colonial White cardstock to make the rest. I accented with an arrow from the new Milestones Shapes.

This is the "Fry Box" in Olive cardstock. I accented with chocolate grosgrain ribbon, a pewter ribbon slider (new), some Bling, and some pin clips that I just love. I am getting used to big embellishments (I'm rather plain in most things) but the new accessories are so darling I want to use them all!

I am addicted!

I am so totally addicted to the new Cricut cartridge from Close to My Heart - and here's why:

This is a display board I made up to show just what one button can do on the cartridge. There are over 700 different images on this cartridge and that's not including all the sizes you can do based on your machine. One button made this board (except for the letters) but there are tags, cards, solid shapes, filigree shapes, frames and so much more! The butterfly at the bottom was made using different sizes to showcase this additional option. Here is another example of what the cartridge can do:

I made this from the Idea Book - it was too cute to just look at in a picture! I made the bag "fit to page" which came out to be 11.25" but when it's folded, it will hold 3x3 cards. How cute! The stitching on the bag was done using the new ruler to punch the holes. The new ruler has two lines of holes in the ruler to use a paper piercer to punch a hole through your paper to make either a zig zag stitch or a straight running stitch. I was not a big fan of stitching before because it was too time consuming to line it all up but this ruler takes the thinking out of the project. So easy!

My Cricut is chirping!

Since it's arrival on my doorstep, my Cricut has been chirping everyday as I explore all that the Art Philosophy cartridge can do! My son has actually told me to "stop working, Mommy!" I guess I have been spending more time in my craft space than normal -- but oh! it's so much fun! I am working on getting projects made for my Open House this weekend so I will post some pictures of finished projects soon but for now, I will show you what you get when you purchase an Art Philosophy cartridge of your very own:

You get 2 sheets of die cut chipboard, 3 exclusive stamp sets plus the Art Philosophy cartridge for $99! The retail value is over $124 - saving you money. Plus, have you noticed in the Idea Book? Some of the stamp images are outlined in red? This indicates there is a coordinating image on the cartridge! How cool is that?!

Take a look here, on the stamp set itself, there is a dark outline around the image but also there is a size indicated so you there is no guessing on the size setting for the Cricut! CTMH thought of everything! The hardest part is to pay attention to your work so you don't hand cut something the machine can do - learn from my mistakes! ;)

August Specials

Close to My Heart is celebration National Scrapbooking Month (September) and it's spilling over into August! Starting August 15th, celebrate our new Stamp of the Month (SOTM) program with an extra stamp set with your SOTM purchase. You can now get the SOTM for $5 with a $50 order -- so from August 15 - the end of September you get two stamp sets for $5! That's an Extra! Extra! deal!

Extra! Extra! stamp set with SOTM purchase

Also during August 15 - the end of September, you get our first ever double-sized stamp set for free with a $75 order. Combine the two deals and get 4 stamp sets for $5 with a $75 order -- that's a savings of over $65!!

Fall Open House this weekend

I am having so much fun playing with all the goodies that debuted in the Fall/Winter Idea Book that I have literally forgotten to take pictures and post them to share with you! I lent my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to a fellow consultant so she can get ready for her Open House so I wasn't able to play tonight - so I'll get caught up here - get ready because there's a lot! :)

First, my Open House is Friday evening & all day Saturday. Different things are happening each day so check my schedule but do what works for you - all my new products and projects will be out for viewing all weekend so the important thing is to stop by and see it!

Friday evening from 5-8pm I am doing a Product Preview:: This is where I will have all the product out for you to get your hands on it! Register with me for a free Make & Take (call or email me so I know to make enough). Bring a friend along and both of you get a free gift. Book a Gathering or Workshop for this fall and get a free gift. Get a free gift when you place an order this weekend. And this is all in addition to the great specials that CTMH has for National Scrapbooking Month! Let me show you how to get 4 stamp sets for $5 with a $75 order!!!

Saturday morning, 8-11am :: I am having a scrapbooking yard sale - I am selling my gently used stamp sets, left over projects and extra paper to make room for all the new goodies in this Idea Book. I made a promise to my hubby to not let my hobby take over the house - you get to benefit! ;) I advertised this in the newspaper so come early for best selection. It is priced to MOVE!

Saturday, 12 noon - 6pm :: Free Crop - I just know you are dying to get your hands on the new Art Philosophy cartridge and this is your chance! Bring a project to work on or try your hand at some of the new 3D items! Free Wi-Fi to work on Studio J (bring your laptop). Please RSVP for babysitting.

See you this weekend! Stop by and say hello!

First Day to see the New Idea Book

Today is the day - here is the new Fall/Winter 2011 Idea Book from Close to My Heart! It is stuffed full of great new products as well as some old favorites. There are great new paper packs, embellishments, and of course the new Cricut cartridge! Check it out online now! My Open House is August 12 & 13th where I will have all the new products, accessories and even some completed projects for you to see. More information to come as soon as I can get the photos up. Still can't wait? Schedule your own Gathering to learn how to use the products yourself and earn some for free!! I am having a Booking Blitz this month so schedule your Gathering now to see what you can get in addition to the great incentives the company offers. I hope you enjoy looking through this Idea Book as much as I have!