Thanksgiving Card with CTMH Stamp

Hello everyone.  I am already gearing up my crafting for the coming holidays and I cannot wait to share all of my creations with you.  Today I am sharing this sweet Thanksgiving card, created with Cricut Art Philosophy and Close To My Heart's SO GRATEFUL stamp set, and CTMH printed cardstock scraps.

I began by cutting two label shapes from the Art Philosophy cartridge and layering them together.  Next using CTMH inks I stamped the pumpkin in Autumn Terracotta ink and then stamped the word stamp over the base color using Chocolate ink.  Using micro-tipped scissors I hand trimmed the pumpkin and stem.

I stamped the leaf in Topiary green ink and hand trimmed it.  However I stamped the curly stems onto the white label.  Using the Chocolate ink again, I stamped the word Thanksgiving onto the label.

I cut three pennant shapes and affixed them over two layers of cardstock onto the front of an A2 card.  I attached the two label shapes over the pennant shapes and used pop dots to attach the pumpkin and leaf cut out stamps.

This sweet Thanksgiving card is ready for a quick message on the inside and to be popped into the mail.  If only all of my holiday projects were so far along......

Thank you for stopping by today.  Remember this is the last week to take advantage of Close To My Heart's September Stamp of the Month and the "It takes two" double set.  For detail scroll down to Monday's blog post!

A "Man Card" For A Good Friend

Hello everyone.  Today I have something different to share with you - A "Man Card"!!  We missed our friend Bill's birthday earlier this month and I am attempting to make it up to him with a card featuring one of his two favorite things - motorcycles!  I knew as soon as I spied this stamp set in the Close To My Heart catalog that I had to have the set for Bill!

I began this card with the CTMH stamp set, Born To Ride.  The stamp set retail for $13.95 and is available through my on-line CTMH store by clicking on the stamp name.

I used a selection of Close To My Heart cardstock prints to create the card, as well as a scrap of Bazzill brown from my stash.  I cut  I cut the label shape for the sentiment with the Cricut Artiste cartridge, as this stamp set coordinates with Cricut Artiste.

 After stamping the motorcycle in black, I had trimmed and attached it to the card using pop dots.  I also used pop dots under the sentiment tag.

This was actually a very quick and easy card - rectangles, some stamping, a double layer Cricut cut, and a assembly!  Best of all, though, I think Bill will really like his late b-day card!!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I will be back tomorrow with another new project to share!

Fall Napkin Rings Crafted with Love

Hello everyone.   I am so completely ready for fall to be in the air, which in South Carolina will happen maybe next month, if I am lucky.  Sometimes it is difficult to escape that girl who grew up in Michigan; I still miss the true fall seasonal change.   But in the spirit of the up-coming fall season, I created these great fall napkin rings for my family.

  
The napkins were created using Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy cartridge, Close To My Heart Stamps, Close to my Heart cardstock and burlap ribbon, and Close To My Heart inks!  In fact, the only non-CTMH item on the napkin rings, is the bit of fall berries which came from our local Hobby Lobby.


I started by cutting eight strips of CTMH Burlap ribbon 6 inches long.  Using an empty toilet paper roll, I hot glued the ribbon around closed around the tube, folding the edges under to seal.   Once all eight burlap rings were formed I put them aside.

Using Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy cartridge, I cut 24 leaves at 2 inches tall, eight each of three colors.  Using the Harvest Happiness stamp set, which I adore (!), I stamped the leaves with the coordinating leaf stamp. 

I also cut eight acorns from the Art Philosophy cartridge and those too were stamped with the Harvest Happiness stamp set.

I cut eight circles with the Art Philosophy cartridge as well as scalloped circles on which to mount the circles.  I stamped the eight circles with my Close To My Heart Monogram stamp - E, for Edwards.  I love the monogram stamps - they are available in each letter of the alphabet and are very inexpensive.

I used the hot glue gun to assemble the napkin rings.  First I applied hot glue to the burlap ring and placed the stamped leaves onto the burlap.   Next I added the berry sprig, the monogram, and finally the acorn. I just love the look of the napkin rings and cannot wait to use them.

Here is one last look at the napkin rings.  They are going to look so good with fall colored napkins!! 

Products used:

CTMH Burlap Ribbon
CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge
CTMH Cardstock
     Cranberry
     Topiary
     Creme Brulee
CTMH Harvest Happiness Stamp set
CTMH Monogram E stamp
CTMH ink
     Cranberry
     Autumn Terracotta
     Ponderosa Pine
Hot glue
Fall berries

Close To My Heart News:

This is the last week of the month and your last week to take advantage of a fabulous savings and a fabulous deal.  Through this week only you can purchase  your Cricut Artiste (or Art Philosophy) cartridge bundle for $99.00 and purchase two great $5.00 add ons. The Cricut Artiste bundle includes:

Cricut Artiste (suggested retail price of $ 59.99), Three Stamp Sets (retail value of $17.95 each), & Three Dimensional Element chipboard sets (retail value of $4.95 each). That is a total recommended retail price of $128.69 for the much lower price of $99!

Because you spent over $35, you can now purchase the It's Your Day stamp set, CTMH's special for National Stamping Month!, for $5.00. This is a $35.90 value stamp set for only $5!

Because you spent over $50, you can now purchase the September Stamp of the Month for $5.00 a value of $17.95 (coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge).

That is a total of 6 stamp sets, 1 Cricut cartridge, and 3 sheets of chipboard for only $109.00 before tax and shipping! And best of all, YOU SAVE ==> $78.54

Click Here to visit my Close To My Heart on-line store

Halloween Candy Jar

Hello everyone!  I am once again home from a FABULOUS weekend at Scrapbook Creations in Spartanburg, SC.  Wow, what fun we had!   Saturday the Breast Cancer Society was sponsoring a fund raiser crop at Scrapbook Creations with food, prizes and wonderful scrappers.  I won three great prizes - but the true winner of our group was Bonnie - who won five times! 

I know my regular blog followers know that Monday is usually Bitten by the Bug 2 day.  And while there is a really cute challenge this week, I am afraid I am going to miss the opportunity to participate.  I was so busy this weekend that I simply forgot to create a project - until it was nearly time to depart for home.  Once home I found Doug had made dinner (!), complete with dessert (!!), and put in a DVD of a British TV series that we are watching.  What a man.  I was so tired, however, that I passed out near the end of the DVD and slept on the sofa for two hours.... Sorry team members... As much fun as I had in Spartanburg, due to allergies (STILL) I did not sleep well all weekend.  I am so happy that I had a productive weekend so I have projects to share with you.

This was a quick little project I worked on after completing the hurricane lamp last Thursday night.  This candy dish sits on my round coffee table and I thought it could use some jazzing up for fall.  I found a set of cute Halloween tags in the Silhouette cut shop and downloaded them.  I thought is candy corn tag was perfect for my tall candy jar, complete with candy corn filler.  I attached the tag with Maya Road orange and white twine, tied in a little bow.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please do go by the Bitten by the Bug 2 blog and checkout the cute, cute design team projects.  I cannot wait to see what they came up with this week!

Wedding Hurricane

Hello everyone.  I have been a bit busy this week and have been ignoring the blog world.  I am currently in Spartanburg, SC at Scrapbook Creations for a Breast Cancer weekend crop. I am joining my friends Jan, Susan, Bonnie, and Peggy for a weekend of de-stressing, girlfriend time, and cropping for a worthy cause.

Last night, while packing scrapping supplies and clothing, I took time to create this hurricane.  My older son, Aaron, is attending the wedding of one of his college roommates, Michael, and needed a nice gift.  Aaron and  Crissie will be spending the night at my house en route to the wedding.  I left the finished hurricane, it's box, a gift bag with lots of tissue AND a wedding card waiting for he and Crissie to take to the wedding with them.  I hope they like the hurricane as much as Doug and I.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the vinyl for this project.  I used a split letter alphabet, the letter M, and a basic font from my computer. 

In addition to Michael and Christie's names, I added "est. 2012" as they will be married on 9/22/12. 

Here is one final peek at the front of the hurricane.  The hurricane is 8 inches tall so the "M" was cut at four inches tall.  When I added the gap in the middle for Michael and Christie's names, the design filled most of the hurricane side.

I am hoping to have a restorative weekend here in Spartanburg but also to complete a lot of projects to share with you over then next couple of weeks.

Thanks for stopping by today and viewing my wedding gift project!

Butterfly Gift Box

Hello everyone!  Today is Monday and that means it is time for the weekly Bitten By The Bug 2 challenge.  This week's challenge was selected by my uber-talented and very sweet design team sister, Sandi Kelly.   Sandi selected a wonderfully creative theme:  Things in nature that fly!  How fun is that? 

I considered crafting a cardinal and evergreen card for Christmas, but then I remembered my favorite butterfly cut!!  The butterfly cut on the Art Philosophy cartridge is my favorite butterfly in all of Cricut-dome!  Seriously, there are a ton of Cricut butterfly cuts available, but the AP butterfly is my favorite.

I decided to craft a gift box on which to rest my beautiful butterflies.  I really like this decorative box with the pretty cut out on top which is found on the Artiste cartridge.   Using the 12 x 24 inch cutting mat I cut the box using Darcies 12 x 17 inch printed cardstock.  I know I have mentioned Darcies cardstock before - I really do like the larger sheets for gift boxes and gift bags.  In fact, I just placed an order for a few sheets of large Christmas themed prints for Christmas gift boxes/bags!

I wrapped the box in a green burlap "ribbon" that I picked up at the Creating Keepsakes Convention last month.  The scalloped ribbon trim was purchased at the same time, from the fiber vendor.  I came home with a bag of wonderful ribbons and fibers!

I love the decorative cut in the lid of the box.  It is a perfect peek-a-boo window.  I backed the window with clear acetate.  I always save the acetate sheets from Cricut cartridges so that I have a stash on hand for window projects.

The box opens on top and is perfect for treats or a fun little gift.  I suspect this box is going to make its way to one of my friends on a gifting occasion.

Thanks for stopping by Busy with the Cricky today.  Please go by the Bitten by the Bug 2 blog and check out the design team members' fabulous project of things in nature that fly, they have done a wonderful job!!  Also, please do consider joining us in this week's challenge.  We love it when our readers play along.  For more information on joining the challenge, visit BBTB2.

Close To My Heart September Specials

Between September 1st-30th, get your Cricut Artiste cartridge bundle for $99.00. The Cricut Artiste bundle includes:

Cricut Artiste (suggested retail price of $ 59.99), Three Stamp Sets (retail value of $17.95 each), & Three Dimensional Element chipboard sets (retail value of $4.95 each). That is a total recommended retail price of $128.69 for the much lower price of $99!

 Because you spent over $35, you can now purchase the It's Your Day stamp set, CTMH's special for National Stamping Month!, for $5.00. This is a $35.90 value stamp set for only $5!

Because you spent over $50, you can now purchase the September Stamp of the Month for $5.00 a value of $17.95 (coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge).

That is a total of 6 stamp sets, 1 Cricut cartridge, and 3 sheets of chipboard for only $109.00 before tax and shipping! And best of all, YOU SAVE ==> $78.54

Click Here to visit my Close To My Heart on-line store

September Stamp Club Project

Hello everyone.   This week has been a bit stressful at our house but took a nice lift last  night with the September meeting of the Close To My Heart Stamp Club.  This group of ladies have to ability to lift one anothers spirits and last night was no exception.  My sweet friend Toby hosted and in addition to great food and a nice project, we had wonderful fellowship.

The design for the stamp club card came to me at 1:00 am a couple of nights ago as I was heading to bed. I made a detour by my scraproom and started the project and left enough notes for myself so that I would recall what I wanted to do with the card.

The project began with a side step fold card and this month's CTMH Stamp of the Month - Fall Favorite.  The Harvest Happiness stamp set and the Casual Expressions stamp set are also utilized in this card (see the photo below).   Three colors of CTMH ink were used - Chocolate, Autumn Terracotta, and Cranberry - as well as the Art Philosophy cartridge. 

The scarecrow image was stamped on a 3x4 inch piece of colonial white cardstock, was colored with CTMH alcohol markers and Copic markers.  The image was cut out and adhered to the circle print cardstock.  A 1/4 inch frame was added around the image and the piece was glued to the card. 

Three pieces of print cardstock were cut to fit the folds on the right side of the card - a brown print and two different leaf prints. 

Using the Art Philosophy cartridge, two leaves were cut and stamped.  A strip of CTMH burlap ribbon was cut and embellished with a button.  The leaves were attached to the burlap and the burlap piece was attached to the front of the step section of the card. 

If you look at the photo above this paragraph and the photo below you will see two different sentiment tags.  Actually it is the same tag, but was designed to be double sided.  My friend Toby suggested that the project for her month of Stamp Club have options on the occasion for which the card would be used.  One side of the stamp reads "Happy Birthday" while the other side reads "Have a Splendid day".   This offered options for the card's use.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed the Stamp Club step card as much as I enjoyed crafting it!  For information on any of the CTMH items used on this card, click the highlighted name of the products to be taken to my CTMH on-line store.

Fall Wedding Menu Project

Hello everyone.  Recently I have been working on a wedding project for a friend.  The wedding is in late October and has a fall leaf/ fall tree theme.  I was asked to design items for the tables at the reception:  table numbers, menus, and some decor.

I used Cricut Craft Room and two Cricut cartridges to create my menu design - Straight From the Nest and Art Philosophy.  I started with an empty corner frame from Straight From The Nest and welded the leaf from Art Philosophy inside.  If you look at the SFTN cartridge you will notice that there is already a corner design that contains a very similar leaf, but I wanted to use a stamp on my leaves so I used a leaf from AP.  I cut the frame and leaf in cream cardstock.

The wedding colors are navy and orange with other fall colors included.  I cut the base of the menu cards in navy cardstock.  They were created in Cricut Craft Room by welding the shadow cut of the corner piece (from SFTN) to a rectangle from AP.  I then copied and pasted the base layer to fill a full 12 x 12 sheet. 

Using the same leaf design used above, I cut 12 x 12 sheets of assorted fall colored leaves at 2 inches.  I then used the Close To My Heart Harvest Happiness stamp set (below) to stamp a design on all of the leaves.  I then used pop dots to attach the colored leaves over the cream leaves in the frames. 

The menu is still being finalized so the last step of the menu card assembly is on temporary hold.  My plan is to print the menu on cream cardstock, in the open space below, and then use the border stamp along  the edge.

I have to make 160 of the menus, but I honestly do not think this will be too overwhelming. I will also be cutting and stamping an extra 15 - 20 leaves for table decor. The leaves will be spread around the center pieces and table settings.

Once the menus and "scatter" leaves are finished I will be moving on to the table numbers.  I have a design in mind which also utilizes the leaves as a border decoration.  And too I will be cutting 160 leaves for the "wishes tree".    The last thing I will be making are the tags for the favors.  They are going to be so cute, but I will share those on a different day!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you liked the preview the fall wedding decor.  For more information on any of the Close To My Heart products used above, click the highlighted name of the item or visit my on-line CTMH store HERE!

Ahoy there, Sailor!

Hello everyone. Today is Monday and that means it is time for the weekly Bitten by the Bug 2 challenge. This week's challenge was selected by my lovely design team sister, Brenda. In that tomorrow is the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the U.S., Brenda asked the BBTB2 design team to create a project honoring those in the military or those lost in the attacks. I chose to create a card with a U.S. Navy theme.

 

I used two Cricut cartridges to create my project: Stand and Salute and Art Philosophy. I cut the three layered shield using Stand and Salute. I cut the shield at 5 inch tall to fit the front of the card nicely. I used Art Philosophy to cut the oval and scalloped oval on which I stamped an image. The oval was cut at 3 inches tall and the scalloped oval was cut at 3.5 inches.


The stamp I used is from Bombshell stamps and is perfect for a sailor's card! The stamp set is called Ahoy Sailor and is available here.

I used Copic makers to color the sailor pin-up girl. I added stickles to her lips and the side stars, as well as adding gems to the stars. I used red CTMH ribbon in two places, as red gems.

Using red ink and a small anchor stamp, I stamped an anchor border down the edge of the inside of the card.

Remember the BBTB2 design team loves it when you decide to play along with us in our weekly challenges. You have one week to create you IN HONOR project and post it at the BBTB2 Blog.


Close To My Heart September Specials


Between September 1st-30th, get your Cricut Artiste cartridge bundle for $99.00. The Cricut Artiste bundle includes:
- Cricut Artiste (suggested retail price of $ 59.99), Three Stamp Sets (retail value of $17.95 each), & Three Dimensional Element chipboard sets (retail value of $4.95 each). That is a total recommended retail price of $128.69 for the much lower price of $99!

- Because you spent over $35, you can now purchase the It's Your Day stamp set, CTMH's special for National Stamping Month!, for $5.00. This is a $35.90 value stamp set for only $5!

- Because you spent over $50, you can now purchase the September Stamp of the Month for $5.00 a value of $17.95 (coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge)

That is a total of 6 stamp sets, 1 Cricut cartridge, and 3 sheets of chipboard for only $109.00 before tax and shipping! And best of all, YOU SAVE ==> $78.54

Click HERE to visit my on-line Close To My Heart Store!!