December Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Welcome to the December edition of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!

If you've arrived from Krista's blog, you're on the right track. Just keep following the links to "hop" around to see everyone's creation. If you get lost, check out Joyce's blog for a complete list.

Since it's December, I wanted to share with you a quick craft I made using our 3 ring Kraft binder and our Cricut cartridges. I had a vendor show this past week where the organizers wanted the direct sales consultants to have cash and carry on hand instead of guests placing orders. Being so close to Christmas, this was a fabulous idea. I had so much fun creating lots of treat bags (love the Cricut cartridge Artiste for this!), treat tin kits (just add chocolate) and decorating a few of the My Crush books for teens to add their photos from their phones for a quick gift to give their friends. The biggest hit was this Kraft binder I made that would be perfect to store Christmas cards or for the December Daily photo challenge.

I used the Artbooking Cricut cartridge to cut "Christmas" out of Cranberry cardstock (the numbers came from Jasmine, a non-CTMH cartridge). The holly came from Artistry. I used our Carmine Shin Han marker to color the berries red since they cut out of the same layer as the holly leaves. It saved some paper instead of cutting out red leaves and berries. I inked the holly leaves in Olive on Garden Green (retired) cardstock. 

On the binding, I cut numbers out a bit smaller to easily identify the book when it's on the shelf.

This was a fun project to make that I actually made a few of these. I then used the negative space from the cardstock to stencil "Christmas" and "2015" onto the Christmas My Crush book with Cranberry pigment ink. Unfortunately, that book sold before I remembered to take a picture of it.

What would you use this binder for?

Now you're off to see what Nancy has made to share. See you next month!

Artfully Sent Monthly Challenge, Day Two

Welcome back to the second day of my self-imposed monthly challenge with the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge!

Browsing through the booklet that came with the cartridge, I noticed this 5x7 card and thought it would make a beautiful baby card.

I cut the first two "drafts" out of cardstock (doesn't work well with a dull blade) so I used Desert Sand cardstock and it went much smoother. I backed the inside cover with White Daisy cardstock  and colored in the negative space with the Shin Han alcohol makers to make the card pop. I then lined the whole inside of the card with another layer of White Daisy cardstock to hide the bleed-through of the makers. Because the alcohol markers layer so well, I colored the tree in then let it dry and colored it in again with the same color (Clay, I think) to give it a little dimension, skipping parts of the branches where there would be some highlights.

Since this is going to a friend who just had a little boy, I used blue on the bunting.

Come back again tomorrow when I;ll share a card I made for a friend who just had a baby girl.

Scaredy Cat meets Artfully Sent

Please forgive me, I got a little distracted this month. After a few months of waiting (for us consultants, it's been since July) the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge is finally available!

To celebrate the release of the cartridge, I'm undertaking a self-imposed challenge: 31 days of projects using the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge! (*breathe!*)

I found it so easy to work with this weekend that I made a few more cards than I really needed to make which is how this challenge started - what am I going to do with all these cards?!?

So, I will share them with you over the next few days plus all the new projects I am anxiously awaiting to make. But first... a sneak peek using the Scaredy Cat paper pack (because this month's challenge was using that one paper pack, ahem, oops!)

This is a fun swing card cut on B&T paper. Then I added a Slate gray cardstock to the right inside that was cut with "BOO".

I backed the letters with some scrap Kraft paper to give a little color difference and used the "Frightfully Fun" Stamp Set B1453 in Black Archival ink for the cute little ghost and sentiment.

See you tomorrow when I share another project from the new Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge!

Joyful Stars September Blog Hop: Scaredy Cat

Hi!

Welcome the September edition of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop. If you're coming here from Krista's blog then you're on the right track. It's a circular hop so just keep going till you come back to where you started. If you get lost along the way, stop over at Joyce's blog for a complete list. 

While at Convention in DisneyLand this past summer, I heard it mentioned that the Annual Inspirations book was set up in a way to encourage us consultants to go through it in order, one paper pack per month. If we do, it will line up in an appropriate time frame for sales to happen in time for our customers to be using the Thanksgiving paper pack (Pathfinding) at the Thanksgiving season, for example. Since I can always use a little structure in my creativity, I am following that advice. 

Last month, I explored the Chalk It Up paper pack and this month, I am exploring the Scaredy Cat paper pack. Since it does seem obvious for Halloween, I made two layouts for the Halloween season that I know I will use - the first one is for our costume/trick-or-treating photos and the second layout is for the pictures from my sister's (awesome) annual Halloween party that she hosts for the kids. 

I really wanted to try to push myself creatively (I've been in a slump lately) so I forced myself to use the Cricut cartridges exclusively on each page. I didn't make it to "exclusive" but I used the Artbooking cartridge for both layouts. 

Artbooking is a fun cartridge to work with even if you don't use one (or more) keys to do the entire layout. I cut the B&T paper to use a mats for the photos but let the Cricut do the fun stuff. 

One the first layout, I cut the "Trick or Treat" three times, once each on White Daisy, Sunset and Honey cardstocks. I carefully cut the Honey and Sunset cuts apart and glued them together on the White Daisy cardstock to mimic the look of a candy corn. 

I then cut out the candies and the candy borders on White Daisy and used our Glitz gels (retired) to make them shine. 

One the second layout, I went to Pinterest for inspiration. A lot of Halloween photos came up using this awesome haunted house cut from the Artbooking cartridge so I decided to give it a try.

 I cut the house and some bats out of black cardstock, the moon out of yellow (exact color is unknown but I know it's retired), the fences are from Gray Wool (retired) and the Halloween is from Sunset cardstock. I used the Stickease to embellish a bit and used my black journaling pen to highlight and embellish the Halloween. 

Now you're off to Nickie's blog. See you again soon! I'll be showing you other ways to use the Scaredy Cat paper pack for more than just Halloween.

March Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Hey all! It's the March edition of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop. Grab some coffee and enjoy hopping through all the springtime ideas! If you're coming from Krista's blog, you're on the right track. If you get lost, you can check out the whole hop at Joyce's blog.

I chose this layout I made with the Artbooking Cricut cartridge because the photos scream "spring" to me (I'm still stuck indoors because of all the snow so photos of my son playing out in the driveway in shorts seems so far away!)

I made this with the Artbooking Cricut cartridge, on two different keys. I love how the keys each have a theme associated with it so it's easy to cut pieces for your layout. Everything is already sized appropriately, just dial in the size of your page (6", 8" or 11") and the design element you want and the pieces come out perfectly portioned for your page. Photo boxes are set up for 4" x 4" or 4" x 6" photos so there's no guess work (or wasted paper).

I cut a few of the same design elements out of different colored cardstock to interchange the pieces and mix it up through out the page.

I then took some of those extra pieces and embellished a Picture My Life layout with them from later on that summer...

Layering some of the stars and mixing the colors up in the design elements help to keep the eye moving over this photo-heavy layout.

Thanks for visiting! Please leave a comment letting me know what you love most about the Artbooking cartridge. Now you're off to Cindy's blog ... See you next month!

February Joyful Stars Blog Hop : Ivy Lane

Hi there!

It's time for February's Blog Hop with the Joyful Stars! If you've come from Krista's blog you're on the right track. If you're just starting here, at the bottom of the post you'll find a link for the next blog or you can check out the whole list at Joyce's blog.

Since the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book debuted on Feb. 1st, I chose the Ivy Lane paper pack. I was lucky enough to go to two crops in the last two weeks (thank you honey!) so I was able to make lots of layouts to share with you over the next few weeks (I'll be  posting a little more frequently because of that so if you don't already follow me, now's a good time so you don't miss anything!)

Ivy Lane is a fun, girly paper pack and it matched perfectly with the photos from my daughter's first birthday party last year (I can't believe I'm starting to plan her second birthday party in a few short weeks!)

I used Artbooking to cut out the words (from two different keys) in Hollyhock and inked all the edges in Smokey Plum. I chose not to used any other embellishments, because I think she's just sweet enough!

CTMH Ivy Lane from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

This layout is just some fun shots of the family. My son is a budding photographer (taking after mommy, I suppose) and took the shot of my husband and I on the far right. It's my photography that needs work because I didn't have enough light as I was taking my pictures for this post.

CTMH Ivy Lane from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

 I really like all the coordinating embellishments that CTMH gives for each paper pack because it makes designing and making layouts really easy and fun. These are from the Ivy Lane Assortment and make a fun grouping with the matching sticky Complements.

CTMH Ivy Lane from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

This is the third layout using Ivy Lane and just a few of the randomness associated with a first birthday party with family.

CTMH Ivy Lane from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

CTMH Ivy Lane from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by, now you're off to Helen's blog. If you get lost, you can find your way again by visiting Joyce's blog. Don't forget to leave a comment as you hop, we love hearing from you!!!

Joyful Stars January Blog Hop

Hi All! Welcome back to January's version of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!! If you're coming from Krista's blog then you're on the right track. If you're picking up here, then you'll find the link for the next blog in the hop at the bottom of this post. All blogs are posted on Joyce's blog if you get lost. Let's get started!

This month is a wrap up of the holiday paper pack "Sparkle & Shine". I bought the WOTG (Workshop on the Go) so that I could take advantage of the all the goodies that come along with the papers and get the exclusive stamp set. After making the first layout from the WOTG I decided to venture out on my own to use up the paper pack (only because I put more pictures on a layout then the second one uses). I used the Make It From Your Heart vol 1 # 6 (pgs 16 & 17) to make this layout:

I used the Sparkles flair and pin banner from the Sparkle and Shine assortment to jazz up the left bottom corner.

I combined two images from stamp set to make a pretty corner decoration for the top right corner.

On the second layout, I used Pattern #2 from the MIFYH vol. 1

I used the Ruby (light) alcohol marker to brighten up the sparkles to create a contrast from the houndstooth pattern paper.

Using the Cricut, I cut a full page of  the stars for this stamp set out of White Daisy paper. I stored the left over stars in the stamp envelope for the next time I want to use the stamp set.

I also cut extras of each of the Cricut compatible stamp shapes to store in the stamp envelope.

Now you're off to Helen's blog. Have a crafty new year!!

Joyful Stars December Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Star Blog Hop for December! If you're coming from Krista's blog you're on the right track. It's a circular hop so if you're just starting here then you can just go 'round till you end up here or you can check out the whole list on Joyce's blog.

My projects for this month's hop are the table decorations I made with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

For Thanksgiving, I used the cartridge to make little turkeys for each plate. Darling, huh? And so simple!!!

I cut leaves at 2 1/2" from 3 colors of cardstock and the center image from CCR to get it to the right size (sorry, I don't know what it ended up being because I didn't save it, darn!)

For my church's Women's Christmas Coffeehouse, I used the Art Philosophy cartridge and cut ornaments out of black cardstock. 

I then used white pigment ink to messily sponge the edges to resemble the chalkboard effect so popular right now. 

I used some baker's twine to tie off the tops and the Chalk Marker to write the dishes the ladies brought to share so we could tell the onion dip from the spinach dip (which look eerily similar sitting next to each other on the table...).

Thanks for stopping by! Now you're off to Helen's blog.

Christmas Card Workshop

I'm still recovering from my awesome weekend! I love papercrafting and the only thing that makes it better is getting to do it with friends. This past weekend was a lot of work to pull off but having so many great friends to do it with makes it worth all the extra effort. Here are a few photos of the day:

This is my "grandmother" Krista. Check her blog out at kristascraftycorner.blogspot.com

This is my "mother" Brenda Rutt teaching a group of ladies. She is a popular teacher at this event!

The best way to decorate a tree is with some handmade items! These are examples of cards we've made other years.

But I know you're really interested in the cards we made. Here are a few and I'll share the rest on Friday.

This one isn't a card but it is made with the new Artiste Cricut cartridge from Close to My Heart. Designer: Gennette Feagan.

Add any pretty flower to Christmas-y paper to have a great twist on the holiday. Designer: Sherri Reiff

Frosty Friends and Avonlea make a lovely card. Designer: Krista Hershberger

Dakota paper makes a great rustic background for a symbol of winter. Designer: Martha Zook

Peace is a constant theme throughout the holidays. Designer: Katie Fisher

A little sparkle lights up the Christmas tree. Designer:  Brenda Rutt

New Paper Pack: Lucy

With all the new paper packs that are in the new Spring Summer 2012 Idea Book, I have a really hard time choosing which one I like the best. I have a little boy so I love the Superhero and Victory paper packs and with a little girl on the way, I love that there are two paper packs (Stella and Lucy) I can use in her album but I'm going to have to pick Lucy as my favorite pack simply because I love how versatile it is: you can use it for a little girl's page, gardens or even for Mother's Day.

Here is a layout I am doing for my team's swap (**warning: spoiler alert**) using Lucy and the new stamp set: New Arrival. I was inspired by the layout featured on Jeanette Lynton's website on January 11, 2012. I simplified it a bit so I could make many copies. I used Gray Baker's Twine as the single embellishment on the right page so the photos really stand out.

 Here is a close up of the main embellishment I did with the Art Philosophy cartridge in Creme Brulee card stock. I used Sweet Leaf ink on Sweet Leaf card stock with the little stamps in the New Arrival stamp set.

 I used Sweet Leaf ribbon to make a banner to highlight the embellishment on the top left of the page. This image is also from the New Arrival stamp set.

Check back again in a couple of hours, I'll have some cards I made with the Victory paper pack and Family Love stamp set.

Christmas Tags, part two

You may remember my recent post where I showed you the tags I made to put on my gifts. Unfortunately, my dog chewed them all up so I couldn't use them. Which forced me to find something else to use. On December 23rd. So back to my Art Philosophy cartridge I went. And I came up with something even better. I had browsed through Lisa Stenz's blog for some ideas and well, I still ended up doing my own thing.

As you can see, I cut the tags from White Daisy cardstock and the snowflake tags from Outdoor Denim. I cut twice as many white tags as I did the snowflake tags so I could use the snowflake cutout too. I just wrote the gift recipients' name on the back side and attached to the gift.  Just a little glue and cardstock, what could be simpler?